A YOUNG CARER is raising funds in the hope that she can attend a dance competition in Australia next year.

Ellie Mitchell, 16, from Crombie, has won herself a spot in the Follow Your Dreams Nationals in Adelaide and now the young carer's mum is doing her best to get her there.

Mum, Liza Anne, has already managed to raise £2,400 for the once-in-a-lifetime trip, but needs to get a further £2,000 to ensure that she can take her daughter Down Under in January.

She told the Press: "She went to Aberdeen in April and did the regionals, and for the first time in the competition, the people who came first and second were given a purple ticket to qualify for the Australian Nationals.

"I'm determined to get her there. I said to Ellie, I'll give it the best I've got and if she couldn't go, it's not because I didn't try."

A member of The Dance Studio: Dunfermline, Ellie has been dancing for six years and uses it as a form of escapism. She has had a tough childhood. As well as being a carer for both her mum and her 10-year-old brother, Noah, she is in the process of being diagnosed with Autism.

Liza Anne said: "She's had a lot of mental health problems growing up, so the dancing has really helped with all that and given her something to focus on.

"I'm so proud of her, she's come so far. She's had so many downs growing up, and she's had so much upheaval in her life. She has really struggled but now she's got light at the end of the tunnel. This would make it all worth it."

With Liza Anne joining Ellie on the trip to Australia, she feels it's the perfect opportunity for some mother-daughter time.

Liza Anne said: "I've got three other children with my husband, Craig, but Ellie's dad doesn't really have anything to do with her now. It was just me and her until she was four. She didn't really have a father figure in her life until I met Craig.

"It was just the two of us and then Craig and I got married, and the three little ones came along. So this will be an opportunity for me and Ellie to have some time together again.

"It's a once-in-a-lifetime trip. She's never been on a plane before – she's never left the country before!"

Three companies have agreed to sponsor Ellie to help with the cost of the trip – Caolasnacon Caravan and Camping Park in Kinlochleven, Oakley pet supply company, Petanna Pet Supplies and Susan Dundas Driving in Dunfermline.

To help raise further funds to cover travel, accommodation and costumes for Ellie, the family are putting on a quiz night in Queen's Hall in Charlestown on Saturday, May 27, at 7pm. It's £20 for a team of four to enter, and cash prizes are on offer. To take part in the quiz, contact Liza on 07702041620.

Alternatively, to donate to Ellie's GoFundMe page and help her get closer to her £4,400 goal, visit https://www.gofundme.com/f/lets-get-ellie-to-australia member=26281693&sharetype=teams&utm_campaign=p_na+share-sheet&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=customer