A theatre's pantomime cast has united to raise more than £1,000 for a four-year-old girl battling an incurable illness.

Evelyn Wheatley, who plays Shyly in the Riverside Theatre’s production of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, organised a fundraiser for a charity supporting children with arthritis and, after the play, handed over the cheque to little Mia Knight.

Mia and her mum Lynsey, who live in Southminister, joined the Company of Four actors on stage to receive the gift on behalf of the Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) division of the National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society (NRAS).

East Anglian Daily Times: Mia Knight with her mum and the cast of White and the Seven Dwarfs , The Company of FourMia Knight with her mum and the cast of White and the Seven Dwarfs , The Company of Four (Image: The Company of Four)

Mia suffers from an incurable auto-immune condition, which is the most common type of arthritis in children and teenagers and typically causes joint pain and inflammation.

Mrs Knight said: “Our vision is life without limits for all those living with this condition, and we are incredibly grateful to Evelyn and to the Company of Four for raising money – and raising awareness.”

Evelyn, who plays in the production with her mum, Sarah Wheatley, was also diagnosed with the ilness at the age of two.

Mrs Wheatley said: “At 14 months Evelyn stopped cruising around the furniture and we noticed she couldn’t straighten her leg.

East Anglian Daily Times: Evelyn Wheatley with her mum Sarah, The Company of FourEvelyn Wheatley with her mum Sarah, The Company of Four (Image: The Company of Four)

“After a hospital visit with a suspected virus, her leg in plaster, lots of tests and more appointments, the diagnosis finally came.

“At some points she couldn’t walk, was unable to straighten her arms and had her jaw and neck impacted with unbearable headaches.

“However, she has never let her diagnosis hold her back. Even when she has been in pain and unable to move in ways she wanted to, Evelyn has continued to do what she loves: performing.”

Evelyn added: “Performing allows me to forget what’s going on physically and be in the moment.

“Being on stage and rehearsing gives me focus and there is also such a sense of community so that even when there are times I have to just sit and watch, my friends will always make me feel included.”