A Swadlincote dad inspired by a family friend who died aged just eight, following a lengthy battle with cancer, is organising a charity auction to raise money in her memory and and is appealing for help.

Craig Hill, 37, came up with the idea for the charity auction after he learned that Georgia Findlay, a girl he met through his mother’s dancing classes, died early last month. The youngster, who was a keen dancer, had metastatic wilms tumour, a kidney cancer that most often affects children under the age of seven.

Dad-of-three Mr Hill, said Georgia’s illness meant she had to stop dancing, and he was "extremely saddened" to hear the news.

He said: "My mum runs the Rainbow Tappers group and Georgia used to go along. I would compere the shows and do some photography so I got to know Georgia before she fell ill. She was a character and she had the biggest of smiles right up until her last day here.

"The cancer was terminal and it was devastating to hear that she died at the age of eight. My daughter is a similar age and I can’t even imagine what it must be like for her family, so I wanted to do something to show that we remember her."

Mr Hill, who has done some fund-raising in the past said he had been inspired to "become more charity orientated" when one of his best friends lost his daughter to meningitis.

Craig, pictured with his three children, is holding the charity auction for Georgia, who he said was full of character

Since then, he has looked to charity as a way of giving back and came up with the idea of the charity auction.

He said: "There will be a raffle as well and I want to raise whatever I can. I would hope to raise around £1,500 but I don’t want to pressure people so if I can get between £500 and £700 I would be very happy.

"I started out by delivering letters to local shops asking for help and I have been blown away by people's generosity. I have been given teddies, flowers, watches, hampers and signed gifts but I am still hoping people will come forward with some more great donations and I would love it if we could get our hands on a television to auction."

The sales executive said he hopes to raise whatever he can to show Georgia’s family that the community is with them and so far he has been "astounded" by the support.

He said: "I can’t imagine what Georgia’s family is going through and nobody should have to go through the pain they have suffered, but if we can give them the smallest bit of happiness and normality that is all I can hope for.

"It would mean the world if this event is a success because I could not think of a nicer more worthy family to help. We just want to show them that we are here.

"It is incredible how people come together at times like this and there are more people than expected coming along to auction so I can’t wait to see how it goes."

The auction, which will take place on September 2 at Newhall Village Hall to coincide with cancer awareness month, which is September, will see any proceeds split and donated to Cancer Research UK and Georgia’s family so that they can use it to do something nice. Entry is free and the doors open at 7pm. There will be buckets at the door for donations.

If you can help by making a donation, contact Craig on 07956151336.