IT'S just a month since we revealed Amber Hartland, the Cwmbran tot suffering from a rare genetic disease, needed expensive treatment in the US to prolong her life.

And the response from our generous readers is amazing - a fund set up to pay for her treatment now stands at nearly £30,000, in just four weeks.

Amber, aged one, has the rare genetic disease tay sachs, a condition which prevents fatty molecules breaking down. It affects the nervous system and can lead to blindness and deafness before death.

Amber's family fear she could die by the age of four unless she is put on a drug trial, only available in America.

Mum Lesley, 38, and her husband Nick, 26, of Ellwood Path, launched a fund for their daughter four weeks ago in the hope of raising between £250,000 and £500,000 to help fund treatment for her in America which could prolong her life.

Lesley said the family are now trying to organise an auction of sporting memorabilia to raise more money.

The Hartlands have been given a number of items, including signed football shirts from Manchester United and Cardiff City that would be included in the event.

Lesley said: "We have a number of items that have been signed by sports stars. We have a Glamorgan Cricket Club shirt, bat and caps. We have a shirt signed by the former Australian pace bowler Dennis Lillee, shirts signed by Cardiff City and Manchester United players, a rugby ball signed by the Welsh team of 1977 and a ball signed by all the current Bridgend team."

Some of the funds raised so far will be used soon when Amber and her parents fly to Washington on April 24 to meet Dr Cynthia Tisst, an American doctor who has expressed an interest in Amber's case.

Lesley said: "We don't know how long we will be there. It may be a day or weeks. Fingers crossed everything will be OK. Amber has picked up recently and is looking good. We just hope the American doctor can help us."

* Donations to the Amber Hartland Fund can be made at branches of the HSBC bank quoting account number 3141 5409.