TERRI Calvesbert's plight touched Ipswich, then England, and then spread across the world in no time. In the second part of our update on Terri's progress, SARAH GILLETT reviews how The Evening Star's greatest-ever fund-raising appeal has grown beyond all estimation.

TERRI Calvesbert's plight touched Ipswich, then England, and then spread across the world in no time. In the second part of our update on Terri's progress, SARAH GILLETT reviews how The Evening Star's greatest-ever fund-raising appeal has grown beyond all estimation.

Today, the trust fund which has invested the Star's Terri Calvesbert Appeal, looks after an amazing nest-egg for her future.

IN the bank today sits an incredible investment of more than £340,000 - and it's all thanks to you.

As Terri Calvesbert's amazing story continues to touch hearts the world over, we can reveal the remarkable sum raised for her future, by Evening Star readers and likeminded supporters across the globe.

The Star launched the appeal in the days immediately after the horrific blaze at the Calvesbert's Chantry home seven years ago.

Originally, it was only intended to raise £5,000, but despite the passage of time, donations continue to arrive even today, surpassing everything the Star had ever imagined.

Terri was so badly injured in the blaze that firefighers thought it was a doll lying in the cot - until she suddenly made a noise. As we reported yesterday, she has now grown up into a cheeky eight-year-old but will face many years of surgery and hospital treatment.

The money is being kept in a trust fund managed by a board of trustees, including Star editor Nigel Pickover, a firm of solicitors, and Terri's relatives. The fund has remained virtually untouched, paying out for a computer to help her school work but little else so far.

Readers have also sent many cuddly toys, clothes and presents which we have been pleased to pass on to Terri. Fundraisers and supporters have become friends to bubbly Terri, who is always happy to meet people from A-list celebrities to fundraisers, along with her dad, Paul.

Words from burns survivor and Falklands War veteran Simon Weston were of great comfort to the family in 2001, while firefighter Simon Bevan, who helped pull Terri from the flames in 1998, also keeps track of her progress.

The Terri Calvesbert Appeal's bank balance will come into its own as she grows older, to help improve her quality of life. For example, it could be used to help adapt a home for her when she grows up to become an independent woman.

The fund was boosted after the Anglia TV documentary Being Terri was shown in the summer of 2003. Reporter Lindsay Brooke shadowed Terri and Paul as a single dad for a year, for the programme which went on to receive widespread critical acclaim including a BAFTA nomination.

The documentary took Terri's story to a much wider audience and inspired a whole new army of fundraisers to help make money for the fund.

One of them, London businessman Rob Mather, was overwhelmed by the emotion of the programme and decided to organise a sponsored swim at his swimming club but news spread and eventually there were people swimming for the cause in all corners of the world.

People have been raising funds for Terri as far afield as Japan, Venezuela and Kuwait.

Mr Pickover said: “I am thrilled that an appeal which was started by the Star less than a week after the fire, has now built into an ongoing worldwide fundraiser. It's great news the appeal has now raised enough funds to make Terri's life a lot more fulfilling in the future.”