With the Larne public having taken the four-year-old to their hearts, Jude's mum Donna admitted she is just overwhelmed at everyone's generosity.

She said: "I just can't get over how brilliant everyone has been. It's been absolutely fantastic and I don't know where to begin to thank everyone so much for everything they have been doing to help."

Fundraising events have been coming thick and fast for Jude's Journey of Hope - involving all ages and sections of the community.

Tomorrow (Friday), for instance, there will be a fun night from 6-9PM in Carnfunnock Country Park where the public can enjoy a variety of activities at the Family Fun Zone such as the miniature railway, bungee run and bouncy castle with proceeds going to Jude's appeal.

"It's fantastic that Ian Lough and Davy Gilmore are arranging this night for the appeal and I hope everyone who comes along has a great night," said Donna.

"I've found that Jude's appeal has encouraged people to come up and talk to us when we're out and about and children who perhaps have had no contact with a child with special needs before are coming over to us.

"I would love this night to be something that everyone in the community could enjoy, whether they are able-bodied or not. There are lots of activities that children can take part in out there even if they have a disability," she added.

Recent fundraising for Jude's appeal has provided a wide variety of events, all of which have been wonderfully supported.

Last Thursday night's country and western concert in the McNeill Theatre, with Michael McSparron and friends proved to be a big hit.
A big night at the Kiln the previous week organised by Jude's aunt, Lisa Blair raised around £2,000 and provided a few real hair-raising moments, especially for the guys who volunteered for some body waxing!
And a sponsored golf day at Cairndhu Golf Club raised the fantastic sum of £4,895, Donna has revealed.

"It was just a fantastic day. There were 150 people playing and the idea was that the holes would be sponsored. We ended up with 37 sponsors, all sorts of great prizes being donated and it all made for a really brilliant day. Cairndhu gave us all the green fees back and I think I spent most of the day crying with emotion and that was even before I got up to thank everyone so much!" she said.

Another golfing event organised by Ballylumford Golfing Society has raised around £400 and youngsters at St Anthony's Nursing School raised £465 by taking part in a sponsored toddle. The Spar Viking Lodge held a grand opening and charity fun day which raised £610 for the appeal.

Donna said she felt really humbled by how everyone was rallying round to help her raise the £15,000 needed to take little Jude to America. She has discovered that intensive treatment of other children with Angelman's Syndrome has boosted their development.

"It is wonderful that so many people are helping, including so many that I don't know and also some that I haven't seen in years. For instance, a friend from a long time ago arrived at the house with money that he had collected from around his family. It was so lovely that he had thought to do that and everything is so appreciated," she said.

Donna said there are a number of fundraising events coming up, including a fashion show in St Comgall's and a disco in the Ballylumford Club, both in September and a big night in the Halfway House on October 4.