TRIBUTE has been paid to a children's hospice which cared for a young girl battling a rare terminal illness – and is now supporting her brother.

Little Dollie Gorringe lost her fight against Aicardi-Goutieres Syndrome (AGS), a genetic brain disease, in July.

She died at her Wilsden home surrounded by her family and carers from Martin House Hospice, just weeks away from her seventh birthday.

Now the family is fundraising as a 'thank you' to the Boston Spa hospice.

AGS affects newborn infants and usually results in severe mental and physical disability.

There are two forms – an early-onset form that is severe, and late-onset which has less impact on neurological functions.

The disease has caused double heartache for the family – Dollie’s sibling, Leighton, was diagnosed with the late-onset form at the age of four. Now 11, he has fully lost the use of his legs.

He is also receiving support from Martin House.

"Without Martin House I don’t think we would have coped," says grandmother, Gail Bates.

"When you go there it’s like a home from home, with 24-hour care.

"The care and support is just amazing. And they are there for the family, not just the children.

"Leighton gets excited when he goes, and calls them his best friends.

"At the moment they’re also a massive support because Leighton’s really missing his sister. He and Dollie were very close, but that has now been taken away. The hospice has been supporting us the whole time.

"And that help for Leighton is working – it’s doing him the world of good."

This month, Gail joined Dollie and Leighton’s parents Luke and Chrissie Gorringe for a 22-mile walk from Martin House Hospice to Horsfall Stadium, Bradford.

An online fundraising page has coined-in more than £3,700 whilst hundreds of pounds have been collected in person.

The family has been part of prolific fundraising efforts since the children were diagnosed.

Anyone who wishes to donate following the family’s latest fundraiser can still do so at the GoFundMe page, gofundme.com/f/v6mjf.

Martin House provides care free of charge to children and young people with life-limiting illnesses from across the region.

It also offers a wide range of help to families, including support groups and spiritual and pastoral care.

There is a 24-hour helpline, on 01937 844836.

For further information about the hospice and its services, visit martinhouse.org.uk, call 01937 845045 or email care@martinhouse.org.uk.