More than £1,200 was raised for terminally ill-toddler Tess Sullivan during Accrington Stanley’s match against Newcastle United.

Thousands of fans rallied to support Tess, three, who is one of 50 infants worldwide to have Alexander disease, a rare genetic degenerative disorder.

The youngster has already undergone surgery to remove parts of her skull after being diagnosed with pressure to the brain.

And she is expected to die between the age of five and ten-years-old as there is currently no cure for the disease.

On Wednesday night, her parents Steve and Helen from Huncoat along with supporters of their daughter’s appeal, held the collection at a packed-out Accrington Stanley Football Club.

Brave Tess went along to the match but remained in the hospitality suite. And her older brother Tyler appeared as a Stanley mascot.

Tess’s dad Steve said the funds raised will go towards a Disney Cruise family holiday next year.

He said: "It was absolutely fantastic. We were overwhelmed with how generous both sets of fans were. Early on they didn’t know exactly what was going on with Tess but after an announcement before the game and at half-time telling people about Tess’s illness people started to make donations."

Tess was born in Royal Blackburn Hospital with no health issues but after a series of problems - including epileptic fits and slow development - was diagnosed with the fatal disease in December last year.

Steve said: "We tried to get Tess on to the pitch at half-time but the noise was too much for her. She preferred it in the hospitality suite so we went on the pitch with Tyler.

"Sky Sports mentioned Tess. It was all amazing really. I would say we got two thirds of the money when people were on their way out."

He added: "We can’t thank Accrington Stanley enough. They were brilliant with us. It was quite moving. We are so pleased. And we have to thank Ged Hawes too who was brilliant.

"He made fliers on the night and it was his idea to hold the collection."

You can donate to the Sullivan family in aid of Tess through the Paypal account 73HFRARXZJ3TG in the name of Helen Sullivan and the email address helensullivan@hotmail.co.uk .

You can also donate by making cheques payable to Helen Sullivan C/O St Peter's Primary School, St Peter's Road, Newchurch, Rossendale, Lancashire.