READERS worldwide have been so moved by the determination and strength of an Ipswich youngster they have been sending messages to cheer her up.In last Saturday's Star we asked well-wishers to send messages to five-year-old Bethany Woods, who has muscular dystrophy, in an attempt to make her feel better.

READERS worldwide have been so moved by the determination and strength of an Ipswich youngster they have been sending messages to cheer her up.

In last Saturday's Star we asked well-wishers to send messages to five-year-old Bethany Woods, who has muscular dystrophy, in an attempt to make her feel better.

She has been in and out of hospital since she was a baby but her mother and father Treena and Kevin Woods said she stays positive when people send her letters.

The family, of Cecil Road, have received e-mail messages from Arizona and Dallas in the US, India, Australia and across Suffolk.

Mrs Woods said: “She gets very excited when the post comes. We sit and go through the letters and cards and it really does put a smile on her face.

“One lady sent a stamped address envelope and a blank piece of paper, so Beth could draw something and send it back.

“Another sent a picture of her dog and wrote a letter as if it was written by the dog, so Beth is sending a letter back to the dog.”

Bethany's health is improving as intensive physiotherapy continues to help her left lung recover from the infection which hospitalised her for a month.

Grandmother Janet Nunn, of Partridge Road, Ipswich, said: “On Sunday Bethany was sent home to her other Nan's until the family home, which is being worked on, is habitable.

“Treena is keeping up with the physiotherapy and we are all just praying she continues to improve.”

Messages can be sent to Bethany by e-mailing treena.woods@ntlworld.com, or writing to The Bethany Tayla Woods Fund, 13 Partridge Road, Ipswich, IP2 OQJ.

Do you know someone with an inspirational story? Call The Evening Star newsdesk on 01473 324788 or e-mail starnews@eveningstar.co.uk.

Dear Bethany…

“My name is Esperanza Erickson I am eight years old and I am in 2nd grade. I live in Arizona, USA. My grandma is from Ipswich and told me about you. I want you to be very happy and get better so you can play and have fun. I saw your picture and you are very pretty.”

“I'm e-mailing you from America....I read about you in The Evening Star and saw your picture, you are such a beautiful little girl...so pretty...I sure hope you are feeling lots better and you will be home very soon. I used to live in Ipswich, just off Clapgate Lane. I have lived in America now for 33 years. Take care. Love Juanita Wooten.”

“Hope you get better very soon. I live in Alaska and read about you in the Star. Try to keep smiling as you have a beautiful smile. Elaine Fitch.”

“I am writing to you all the way from Dallas in Texas, USA. I read The Evening Star newspaper online and read your story. I used to live in Ipswich but moved to America. I hope you start to feel better really soon. Lots of love Julia.”

“We are all thinking about you at Sidegate and looking forward to seeing you at school. The weather has been so good that the children have been out on the field at playtime this morning. Today all of the pupils in year three have come to school dressed as pirates because they are reading Treasure Island. It is really funny to walk down the corridor and see thirty pirates walking the other way. I have to be careful not to upset them because if I do they may make me walk the plank. Take care, Mr Waterman, headteacher - Sidegate Primary School.”