A contestant from this year’s X Factor has thrown her support behind a fundraising campaign to help the family of a little girl fighting cancer.

Kiera Weathers belted out I Will Always Love You at an auction night at the Macdonald Craxton Wood Hotel in aid of brave four-year-old Olivia Phillips on Sunday (December 6).

Almost 250 people turned out for the latest in a series of fundraising events, generating more than £10,000.

People from across Ellesmere Port and further afield have rallied to support the Little Sutton family ever since parents Louise Ashcroft and Jon Phillips received the devastating news that Olivia has hepatoblastoma –a rare tumour that originates in the liver and has spread to her lungs – in October.

Family friends Sarah Tattersall and Kate Hodgenia quickly set up a JustGiving page to send Louise, Jon, Olivia and her brothers Liam and Ryan to Disney World.

Olivia Phillips smiles for first time in weeks during hospital stay as she hugs Peppa Pig

Sarah invited Kiera Weather, who was eliminated in week two of the popular singing programme’s live shows, in an online message and was delighted when she accepted.

Kiera has been so touched by Olivia’s plight she has asked to go and see her at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, where the youngster is receiving chemotherapy treatment.

Sarah said: “Thank you to everyone who donated a prize or something to make the night so amazing and to all who bid, bought a raffle ticket or donated in any way.

“Everybody just wanted to raise as much money as they could.

The auction night raised more than £10,000 for Olivia Phillips and her family
The auction night raised more than £10,000 for Olivia Phillips and her family

“It is just amazing how people have pulled together and everybody wants to help.

“I just think that with everything going on in the world, the support we have received gives you hope.”

Sarah added that ‘inspirational’ Olivia is doing well for such a poorly little girl and has still got a laugh and a smile ready for her visitors.

Fundraising events will be carrying on into the new year.