SHOPPERS and traders joined together to raise thousands for a baby diagnosed with cancer of the eyes weeks after suffering brain damage during birth.

At the fundraiser in Hob hair salon in Loughton High Road on Saturday, May 12, staff wore fancy dress, held a special raffle with goods donated by local businesses and donated all of their tips to the fund for four month old Evelyn, or ‘Evie’, Shears.

A complication during labour deprived Evie of oxygen and she was subsequently diagnosed with cerebral palsy, which causes speech and movement difficulties.

Weeks afterwards, the family were given more devastating news.

Evie’s mother, Aimey Shears, 31, speaking from the family's home in Morden, Surrey, said: “My husband and I noticed that her eye movements were quite strange and asked for someone to check her.

“My husband went to the hospital in the morning for the results and when I got a call asking me to come in and I knew that it was something serious.

“You can’t really describe how you feel, you plan the way your life is going to be and something like this just does not come into it.”

Evie is currently undergoing chemotherapy for the form of cancer, called retinoblastoma, to try and save her sight and she will need constant medical support to help her with her disabilities.

Mrs Shears, who used to teach drama at West Hatch High School in Chigwell, said: “Any parent is looking to protect their child, and we want to give Evie the best life she can have.

“As she grows older, she will need expert support from occupational therapists, physiotherapists, speech and language therapists, specialist nurse support and specialist education, to name but a few.

“Only a fraction of this is available on the NHS. We really need people to be generous.”

Evie’s grandmother, Laura Ford, 58, who lives in Stonnards Hill, Loughton, said: “The fundraiser was a really positive event after a very difficult few months.

“It was lovely feeling and very unexpected to see all these people getting together to help a baby they do not even know.”

To donate to Evie’s fund visit http://www.enablingevie.co.uk/.