A Morden primary school are fundraising to pay for a former pupil to travel to America for specialist treatment after she was diagnosed with a brain tumour.

Grace Adeyemo, 12, was diagnosed with the brain tumour craniopharyngioma in July last year, after she began to experience problems with her vision.

She had a successful operation in December, but the next stage of her treatment involves six weeks of proton therapy at the University of Florida in Jacksonville, America, at a cost of around £10,000.

Grace’s former head teacher at Abbotsbury Primary School, Rowena Maybury, visited her in hospital after her operation and has set up a JustGiving page to try and help Grace’s family fund the trip to America.

After surpassing the original £5,000 target, the school are now hoping to be able to fund the entire £10,000 trip.

Grace, who is now a Year 8 pupil at Wallington High School for Girls, expressed her thanks to Abbotsbury Primary School and her family for supporting her since her diagnosis.

She said: “My diagnosis of craniopharyngioma was initially very difficult to handle, but with time and support from the NHS staff and my family, I soon understood and came to terms with my condition.

“Before the surgery, I felt scared and toyed with the idea of running away from the surgery room. Common sense prevailed and I’m glad I stayed.

"The surgery was successful and one of my high points in hospital was having my former head teacher and deputy head teacher visit me in St George’s Hospital.”

She added: “The amount of love, support and donation is overwhelming. May God bless the local churches, mosques, businesses and individuals who have donated to support my upcoming proton therapy treatment.

“This experience has opened my eyes to the kindness of humanity and our community in Morden, which I’m grateful to be a part of.”

Grace’s father Festus Adeyemo, 44, who lives with her in Lynmouth Avenue, Morden, said they have all been amazed by the response from the community.

Mr Adeyemo said: “We have been very overwhelmed by the fact a school that Grace has left has tried to do all this on her behalf.

“We want to say a massive thank you to everyone. We want them to know we are very amazed and overwhelmed by the level of support, and by the responses from all the different people in the communities of Morden.

“People we don’t even know are leaving messages saying even if they don’t know us, they still want to help. The support has been incredible.

“The community has come together for Grace and for us and for that we will always be so grateful.

“With the amount of darkness going around at the moment, we have felt a great light here in the support given to us from the Morden community.”

To donate to Grace’s JustGiving page, click here.