LITTLE Charlotte Nott will soon be able to play with her friends again, thanks to big-hearted Oxford residents.

Just three months ago the toddler’s parents feared the worst after she was struck down with an aggressive form of meningitis.

Doctors were forced to remove all of the three-year-old’s limbs below the joints to stop the deadly disease from spreading during a desperate battle to save her life.

Since December the little girl, from Horspath, has had to teach herself to crawl, to draw with her mouth and to play her favourite Dora the Explorer computer game again.

And soon she will be able to play with friends at her beloved Horspath Nursery once again after an auction held in her honour raised almost £8,500 for specialist play equipment.

The Oxford Mail first reported Charlotte’s story in January, after her mother Jenny Daniels contacted the newspaper to say a public thank you to the medical staff who battled around the clock to save her little girl’s life.

Alex Nott, Charlotte’s dad, said the whole family had been touched by the efforts made by the nursery and all who had pledged money.

Mr Nott, 29, said: “It was an absolutely fantastic night.

“People we had never even met before being so generous.

“We weren't expecting that at all.

“I was so blown away by what we people were doing and we are so grateful.

“This will make such a difference to our family.”

Eirwen Parker, chairman of the Pre-School Nursery, said the night, which was held at the at Horspath Village Hall on Friday, was a massive success.

She said: “I have been so moved by people’s generosity to help this little girl.

“It just shows what a village can do when it puts its mind to it.

“We received some fantastic donations including, a Mini baby racer from BMW, a month’s membership at David Lloyd leisure, a private river cruise from Oxford River Cruises, and a signed Arsenal shirt donated by Martin Keown to name but a few.

“Now we will be able to buy play and sensory equipment for Charlotte, and a computer for her to use at home.”

Heart FM’s breakfast show host Matt Brown played the role of auctioneer for the evening.

He said: “I’m so pleased to be able to support Charlotte in some way, by hosting the auction seemed the ideal opportunity to help. Having two young children myself makes Charlotte’s story really hit home, as after all, this is a disease that can strike at any time and effects everybody.”

Charlotte was in hospital for just over a month but is now back at home in Horspath and hopes to return to nursery in the next few months.