UNWANTED plastic bottle caps could help raise thousands of pounds for ill children at Great Ormond Street Hospital, thanks to a new fundraising campaign.

The campaign is being organised by the family of 22-year-old Jo Fulleylove, who was treated at the hospital between 1997 and 1998 after she contracted parainfectious encepihomylitis, a disease which produces neurological symptoms including seizures and drowsiness, and can affect mobility.

In the Okehampton area, milk bottle and plastic drinks bottle caps are being collected at Little Chef at Sourton Cross. The family is also keen to hear from businesses in the Okehampton area that travel to Portsmouth and may be able to deliver the bottle caps to the recycling firm, which has pledged £25 per half tonne received.

Jo's stepfather, Shaun Beard, said: 'At one point, Jo slipped into a coma and we were told to expect the worst and that she wouldn't pull through. When she came out of the coma, she was totally paralysed and told she would never walk again.

'Through the determination and skill of the staff at Great Ormond Street Hospital, Jo managed to learn to walk, talk and feed herself again, and has now gone on to be a healthcare assistant, with the aim of one day training as a midwife.

Businesses who may be able to help can email the family on [email protected]">[email protected] or telephone 07752 841337.