Tiles were smashed and more than £3,000 was raised for a young girl with a life limiting illness at a taekwondo event in Abbots Langley at the weekend.

BJ Academy put on the event to raise funds for Sian Moorcroft, a 10-year-old girl from Abbots Langley who has Intermediate Type II Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA). Sian has been left unable to walk or stand due to her weakened muscle structure.

Emma Moorcroft, Sian’s mother, said: "It well really well. The kids all really enjoyed themselves and lots of people got involved with the taekwondo. In total we raised more than £3,000. It’s a really good step up the ladder for us in our fundraising."

The event was held in Abbots Langley Community Centre, in Gallows Hill Lane, on December 7.

Taekwondo master, Brima Johnson, who runs the academy, said: "Sian’s little brother, Harry, and her mum, Emma, train with us. I know the family well and it’s a very family orientated club.

"That’s how we got involved with Sian. The important thing for us is to get Sian as much exposure as possible and help to make her life a little easier.

Watford Observer: "A lot of good causes on people’s doorsteps that they don’t know about and it’s important to make people aware that there’s a young girl out there who needs people’s support and help.

"We’re hoping that it might turn into a bit of a rolling affair and people will want to get involved in other events. All the people we have here are physically fit and lucky in that way. Why shouldn’t we make a difference and give something back?"Sian’s family and friends are aiming to raise £10,130 for a Trekinetic GTE all terrain chair which will allow her much more freedom that she currently has.

Ms Moorcroft said: "I want to thank all the people that came along, all the people that helped and all the local businesses that donated towards the raffle. I especially want to thank Brima Johnson though. What he’s done is just amazing."

She added: "Sian enjoyed the day and her brother did a good fight for her. She had the job of giving all the trophies out and took it very seriously. She did get really tired by the end of the day though, there was just so much going on."