Cresfest – a mini acoustic festival – takes place at The Crescent Inn, Brook Street, Ilkley, tonight to raise money for a brave little girl.

The event marks the launch of Thea’s Trust and takes place from 7.30pm to midnight. Entry is free and the line-up includes: Demitaves; Jonathan Skinner; Effie; Elliot Long; Fiona Holt and Zoe Dixon.

Fundraising on the evening will be in the form of a raffle (tickets £5) and an auction, to be held at 10pm after the raffle draw. Items up for grabs include a two-day exclusive use of the new BMW 4 series convertible including insurance, signed Warrington rugby league shirts and hospitality at Manchester United’s ground for two to four people.

Thea’s Trust was formed by Richard Paterson and his wife Samantha, of Ilkley.

Their daughter Thea was born on July 23, 2013 and diagnosed with MPS1 Hurler syndrome on January 10 this year. It is a very rare genetic disorder which only occurs in around ten in a million children.

Without treatment the condition would eventually halt her development and growth. At around the age of three she would start to regress and lose her ability to do the normal things children do, including being able to walk and talk. Her life expectancy would reduce to just nine to ten-years-old.

But since being diagnosed Thea has been in the hands of medical experts at Manchester Royal Children’s Hospital. She has been undergoing vital Enzyme Replacement Therapy (ERT) and has had chemotherapy in preparation for a bone marrow transplant, which took place earlier this month.

It is hoped the bone marrow transplant, from donated umbilical cord blood, will enable Thea to start producing the missing enzyme herself and could give her a normal life expectancy.

Richard Paterson, who is general manager of The Crescent Inn, said: “All prizes have been generously donated by local businesses from Leeds, Harrogate and Ilkley and we would like to thank them all sincerely for their support.

“Available to purchase there will also be Thea’s ‘Bravery Beer’ available on draft, all proceeds from which will go directly to Thea’s Trust.

“We look forward to seeing you there, so please bring friends and family along for the entertainment and show your support to a very brave little girl.”

For more information on Thea’s Trust, visit theastrust.co.uk.