HOLMES Chapel Primary School pupil Lauren Kozyra has smashed her target for an arthritis charity with her virtual fundraiser.

Lauren, seven, was hoping to raise £50 for the National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society (NRAS) because her sister Rosie, five, who attends the same school, has arthritis.

The fundraiser involves their soft toy bear Josie ‘isolating’ somewhere in Holmes Chapel, and has already raised £365 through a justgiving page.

Lauren and her family compiled a list of Holmes Chapel businesses and street names, and everyone who buys a £1 ticket has their name written against one of the locations.

On Friday one of the places will be pulled out of the hat, and the person linked to that place will win a £10 food voucher donated by the Old Red Lion in Holmes Chapel.

Knutsford Guardian:

Lauren in her Brownies outfit and Rosie in her Rainbows outfit ready for the Holmes Chapel Remembrance Day parade in November

The NRAS supports 400,000 people living with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) and the 12,000 children and young people living with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA), their families, friends, carers and healthcare professionals who treat them.

Lauren and Rosie’s mum Clare, who co-ordinates the young leaders scheme at Mobberley Primary School, said: “Rosie’s symptoms started at 21 months old, and she was diagnosed with 12 inflamed joints and a nasty limp just after her second birthday.

“There is nothing worse for a parent than seeing your child in pain, so we were gutted to know this wouldn’t go away quickly, but equally relieved to know what we were dealing with.

Now, almost four years on Rosie needs two injections a week as well as regular blood tests and eye checks.

Knutsford Guardian:

Rosie completing the Colshaw Hall 1km fun run last June. She ran with her sister and cousins, and they raised £1,075

“Rosie is now officially in ‘remission on meds’, which means she has no active arthritis. She is such a happy girl and a superstar with it all, and we couldn’t be more proud.

"Rosie enjoys her ballet and swimming lessons as well as being part of 3rd Holmes Chapel Rainbows.

“Four years ago we didn’t know this condition existed, and this is our fourth fundraising effort for #wearpurpleforjia, a special event run by NRAS – the official wearing purple date should have been on June 5.

“This year is a little different - Lauren is taking charge as part of her charities badge for 3rd Holmes Chapel Brownies, and due to the current situation it will be a smaller virtual/online fundraiser.

“I have been staggered by what we have raised, everyone has been really generous.”