The Mercury group’s Baby BJ appeal is enjoying continued success and has now raised over £17,500.

The newspaper, which covers Lewisham, Greenwich, Bexley and Streatham, launched the appeal with the aim of raising £12,000 to buy therapeutic equipment for a baby with meningitis.

BJ – full name Brian James – contracted the potentially fatal virus in August and it has claimed his right leg, left foot and the fingers of his right hand.

The Mercury smashed through its target in eight weeks and readers have continued with their fundraising efforts for the little boy who has captured their hearts.

The extra money will be kept in an account so that it can be used when BJ needs other essentials.

Donations have included £330 from a local schoolboy who did a one-mile sponsored swim, and £300 from fairground manager Lewis Gray.

Lewis said: “I read the story about little BJ, and thought there must be something I could do with the resources I have.

“I set up teddy bear stalls, roundabouts and candy floss stalls for people. The only problem was trying to dodge the rain!”

BJ’s mum, Diane Applegate, said: “We continue to be overwhelmed by people’s generosity towards BJ. There are so many people out there who have supported the appeal that we just can’t say enough thank-yous to everyone.”

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