Georgina Pearce at her home in the Castel, where work has begun to build an extension in order that she can stay with her family for as long as possible. (Picture by Steve Sarre, 0777631)

FOUNDATIONS have been laid to transform the life of one Guernsey girl and her family.

When Georgina Pearce’s family and friends launched the charity Georgina’s Gang they could never have imagined the response they have had.

Twelve-year-old Georgina was diagnosed with Niemann-Pick Disease Type C, a rare and fatal genetic disease.

The aim of the charity was to raise £90,000 to fund medical research into the condition and extend the family’s home to allow Georgina to stay at home with her family for as long as possible.

Thanks to the generosity of islanders work got under way on Saturday on the extension.

‘I just can’t put into words how fantastic this is. It is all so real now. I have never experienced so much emotional support,’ said Tania Pearce, Georgina’s mum.

The Georgina’s Gang campaign touched the hearts of islanders who have raised almost £20,000 since its launch in February.

This enabled work to start immediately on their Castel home.