Almost £60,000 has been raised after a local newspaper launched a campaign to get specialist treatment for a critically-ill nine-month-old baby.

Little Katie Maguire, from County Derry, Northern Ireland, suffers from intractable epilepsy which causes violent fits every day.

Her parents Gary McCann and Mekila Maguire have both left work to care for their baby daughter and are trying to raise £250,000 so she can get specialist treatment in America.

And the County Derry Post, which was launched only last year by River Media, has been in the forefront in highlighting Katie’s plight.

The level of treatment and expertise Katie requires is not available on the National Health Service, forcing her family to look abroad for help.

The nature of her condition means she cannot see, eat or swallow. If she doesn’t get the treatment, she will die.

Since the Post launched its ‘Keep Baby Katie Awake’ campaign, almost £60,000 has been raised locally.

Editor Ciaran O’Neill said: “This is a classic example of people power. People from all walks of life have been holding fundraising events for Katie, from church collections to a bikini babe car wash.

Added Ciaran: “We are running weekly updates on Katie’s conditions and upcoming events. There has been a great response to the campaign and we all hope there will be a happy conclusion.”

For more information about the fundraising campaign for Katie, log on to www.keepbabykatieawake.com.