The family of a young girl who was born with a rare condition are one step closer to reaching their fundraising target to pay for pioneering surgery thanks to a donation from First Buses.

Ella-Grace Honeyman, from Hevingham, near Aylsham, was diagnosed with the rare and life-threatening brain condition vein of Galen Malformation just four days before her first birthday in June 2008.

The six-year-old will fly to New York in July where she will undergo her eighth operation which, if successful, will be her last.

Hospital and surgery costs total more than £40,000 and although the family have spent the past few years tirelessly fundraising, they still need to raise £16,000.

And now the cause has been given a boost from FirstGroup's charity and sponsorship committee which has donated £2,100.

Ella-Grace's grandfather, Patrick Hussey, who lives in Old Catton, was a bus driver with First Eastern Counties for 19 years before he retired in 2012.

The youngster's mum, Laura Honeyman said: 'It impacts our whole family. We are very lucky to have the support of our wonderful friends and family and we are very lucky that we are at this point in time – medical techniques are always improving. We are very grateful to First – this is the third time they have supported us. Every donation gives Ella-Grace a chance.'

The family said that Ella-Grace was 'stable' health-wise, but was having trouble at school, and they have hired a private tutor to help her.

Hugo Forster, general manager of First Eastern Counties, said: 'We are more than happy to support the Life for Ella-Grace fund. We wish the family every success with the rest of their fundraising.'

? To donate or to find out more about Ella-Grace's story visit www.lifeforellagracefund.co.uk or contact fundraising chairman Steve Read on 07949 871013.

? Do you have a fundraising story? email david.bale2@archant.co.uk