A charity dinner for a teenager seeking life-saving treatment in America saw a pop star perform.

Former S Club 7 member Jo O’Meara sang at Vojan Restaurant in Epping Road, Ongar on Friday evening (June 24).

The event also saw music from Joe Longthorne and raised more than £2,500 for the Save Our Maddi Appeal.

The money will go towards the £300,000 needed for a bone marrow transplant for Maddi Thurgood, 15, from Great Dunmow.

After seeking help for a three-year leg problem in April, she was diagnosed with a rare disease called Krabbe Disease, a hereditary disorder that destroys the lining that protects the nervous system.

Without the transplant, she could be left deaf and blind, or die.

Maddi is the only person in the UK to be diagnosed with Krabbe disease.

Her family want to send her to Pittsburgh, USA to be treated by Dr Maria Luisa Escolar, a specialist in treating the disease.

There has never been a transplant carried out in the UK for someone of Maddi’s age who has Krabbe disease.

But Dr Escolar has overseen many bone marrow transplants for children with positive results and has invited Maddi over for tests and treatment.

Maddi’s family are hoping to raise the money for the treatment through fundraising events, like the one at Vojan Restaurant.

Restaurant manager Mumin Ali said: “The dinner went really well, everyone loved the music.

“Maddi and her family had a great night and we were all really pleased with how much money we raised.

“Hopefully the money raised will play a part in her getting the treatment she needs.”

To donate to the Save Our Maddi appeal, go to https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Saveourmaddiappeal.