FOOTBALLERS in Haltwhistle have raised over £500 to support a courageous little girl who is battling a rare brain disorder.

When two-year-old Ella Gale was diagnosed with lissencephaly last December, her parents were told that she may never talk or walk.

The money, raised during a successful race night at the town’s Jubilee pub last month, will go towards a sensory room to assist with Ella’s development in the family home.

Against all odds, the tot is now able to say a few words whilst playing with mum Hayleigh Boyd, and dad Rob Gale, who plays in goal for the Haltwhistle Jubes Sunday football team.

Rob said: “She can say “mam” as well as a couple of other words. These are the little things which are giving us a lot of hope. Ella is strapped into a special seat, and from there she quite happily plays with her toys. She can reach for things, and has a lot of fun with her little brother, Jacob.”

The family first raised concerns over Ella just three-and-a-half months into her young life. Her muscles appeared to tighten, and her fists were constantly clenched. After months of uncertainty, the diagnosis of lissencephaly in December was quite a shock for the Gales. The disease, which affects just one in 12 million people impairs the development of the brain.

As a result of the disease, the youngster also suffers from a form of cerebral palsy which affects her movement and co-ordination.

She has also undergone hip reconstruction surgery, after being born with a dislocated hip.

The family are full of praise for medical teams at Newcastle’s Royal Victoria Infirmary.

Rob added: “There are children with lissencephaly who can’t walk or talk, and some of them are blind.

“We are fortunate that Ella both sees and recognises people, and she knows what is going on around her.

“The doctors can’t believe how well she is doing. We hope that building a sensory room will greatly assist with her overall development.”

Rob, who works at Carlisle Airport, said the race night at the Jubilee was well attended. It raised a total of £1,020, with half going to the football club.