THE voice of the X-Factor and a celebrity chef have helped a young girl with a rare condition as her mum tries to find the £75,000 needed to treat her.

Peter Dixon, whose distinctive tones narrate the phenomenally successful ITV talent show, and Luke Thomas, who has appeared on BBC 2 show The Great British Menu, came to the aid of Vivi Gregory-Osborne, aged seven.

She was diagnosed at eight months old with spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy and her family were told she would never walk.

Against all odds, Vivi was taught to stand and take her first steps by The Pace Centre in Aylesbury. She now has a wheelchair and attends a mainstream school in Windsor, where the family lives.

A fundraiser was held on Sunday at Sanctuum on The Green in Cookham.

Vivi's mum Helen was impressed with Mr Dixon and said he lived up to his X-Factor personality.

She said: "He was great, really caring and wanting to know all the details about Vivi and the operation she's recently had, he was such a nice guy. He was so funny doing the auction in his voice.

"It was a brilliant day."

About £1,800 was raised with the food and wine tasting day.

Mrs Gregory-Osborne, 45, a full time carer for her daughter, explained the hurdles facing them.

She said: "Vivi now faces multi level orthopaedic surgery on hips and both feet, we are trying to hold this off as long as we can but she is in pain so it may have to be done sooner than we liked.To get the most out of the op she needs intensive physio which means she needs her feet so we may have no choice but to act soon."

She said about £75,000 is needed for the next three years but is confident they can raise the cash, with further fundraisers planned.

See more at www.vivisventure.com