A couple have raised thousands of pounds for four charities that had helped their daughter before she died of a terminal illness.

Eastern Daily Press: Stoke Ferry couple Linda and John Green raised £3,600 for four charities in their daughter Debbie's memory. From left, EACH senior care assistant Kate Riches, Linda and John Green, and EACH care manager Peter Maxey. They are joined by Tegan Harvey and George Wakefield, children who receive care and support from EACH at Quidenham. Picture: Courtesy of Michael JarvisStoke Ferry couple Linda and John Green raised £3,600 for four charities in their daughter Debbie's memory. From left, EACH senior care assistant Kate Riches, Linda and John Green, and EACH care manager Peter Maxey. They are joined by Tegan Harvey and George Wakefield, children who receive care and support from EACH at Quidenham. Picture: Courtesy of Michael Jarvis (Image: Courtesy of Michael Jarvis)

Linda and John Green, from Stoke Ferry, lost their 12-year-old daughter Debbie to Batten's Disease, a fatal debilitating condition of the nervous system, in 2011.

Debbie had first shown symptoms of the illness when she was just one-years-old and her parents were told she would not reach her fifth birthday.

Mr Green, a community transport driver, said: 'At 14 months, all she learnt until then she started to lose, but she was still our happy little girl and what she was dealing with she was courageous.'

But beyond all expectations, Debbie was able to survive past the age of five, receiving help from four charities along the way.

They were East Anglia's Children's Hospices (EACH), Churchill Park School and the Rudham children's ward at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, both in King's Lynn, and children's medical research charity Sparks.

But despite her brave fight against the disease, Debbie died on July 22, 2011, aged 12.

Mr Green added: 'It happened suddenly, but we were told she would not reach five years old and we had another seven precious years with her.

'Linda was outstanding in looking after Debbie, she gave up her life to look after her.'

The couple set up Debbie's Special Four Charity in their daughter's memory in 2015, to raise money for the good causes that helped to support the family, including their three sons Christopher, 31, Stephen, 28 and Garry, 24.

In 2017, they raised £3,600 through a series of fundraising events, including bingo, a sponsored walk, a Christmas party and more.

Within two years they have distributed £6,600 to the four charities and now go into their third year of fundraising.

Mrs Green said: 'East Anglia's Children's Hospices (EACH) in Quidenham was very helpful from the early days of her diagnosis and was a great support over a long period of time, both with help at home and in the hospice.

'Together with Churchill Park School and the Rudham children's ward, EACH helped Debbie to have a very happy life.'