A NEW fundraising drive to enable a nine-year-old Bournemouth girl to have further stem cell treatment for her cerebral palsy is now underway.

Last year, Shonia Tahiliani travelled to Beijing in China to receive a series of injections of cells grown from her own bone marrow. She was able to do so thanks to the generosity of the Hermitage Hotel in Bournemouth.

Her parents, Kishor and Priti, are so delighted with the results that they want to take their daughter back in late spring for further treatment.

Among those who are helping Shonia is Bournemouth and District Irish Society, which has donated £800 to her fund.

Another £800 has been donated by London-based chef Bobby Kapoor and his wife Darima, and £250 by Koo Cho, whose brain-damaged husband is now on his second round of treatment at the same hospital Shonia attended.

But with the total so far £2,650, there is a long way to go to reach the family's £18,000 target. Shonia's father is now appealing for people to hold events or come forward with ideas of how to raise the rest of the money.

"We need to get Shonia this treatment. She's improving so much and we don't want to stop this happening," he told the Daily Echo.

Among the changes are that Shonia, who uses a wheelchair, can now sit unsupported. She is toilet trained and trying to talk and feed herself.

"At least 10 people have gone to the hospital after reading about Shonia and about the hospital. She has inspired people," said Mr Tahiliani.

For more details, see the website helpshoniafight.org.

Donations can be made to the Vaishnavi (Shonia) Tahiliani Trust at Natwest Bank in Bournemouth, sort code 560035, account number 28189922.