A MIDSUMMER ball held for a five-year-old girl with a rare genetic condition has raised thousands of pounds.

Emmie Gizatullin, aged five, from Colchester, suffers from a rare genetic condition called Kniest Dysplasia, which only affects one in a million people.

She is the size of a nine-month-old, has a cleft palate and club feet, is non-verbal and wears hearing aids and strong glasses.

Her family, mum Hannah, dad Marat and brother Adam, are now fundraising to give Emmie the best quality of life possible by making adaptations to their house to accommodate her needs.

This ball helped to raise £7,380 for Emmie and her family.

Milsom Hotel and Restaurant’s Talbooth in Dedham held the ball, which encouraged guests to wear Emmie's favourite colour pink, on Friday, June 16.

Sue Tasker, a friend of the family, said: "Huge thanks once again for your generous contribution to the Midsummer Ball for Emmie.

"I am delighted to share that as a result of ticket donations, raffle, the heads and tails and auction prizes we have raised a grand total of £7,380 (gift aid to be added).

"This has been transferred to Emmie’s Tree of Hope funds. 

"Emmie’s fundraising also had a significant boost on the night with an amazing £1,000 donation from Keith and Frances Smith of PPI UK."

Work is set to be underway on a bathroom for Emmie thanks to the support of guests at the ball. 

Sue added: "As mentioned at the event, with the staggering support of Alex Leader of Rose Builders, Nick Braybrooke of Ceramic Tiles, Arthur and Tom of Premier Contract Supplies plans are underway to commence the work on the bathroom and the project management costs will be drawn from the Tree of Hope pot.

"On behalf of Hannah, Marat, Adam and of course Emmie... sincere thanks to you all, you truly have made a significant difference to the one in a million Emmie Gizatullin."