Last year little Maisie Moody warmed the nation's hearts when she wrote to Father Christmas asking for donations to the East Anglia Air Ambulance (EAAA).

This year the spirited youngster has set out to raise even more money by challenging herself, her dance class and her performing arts class to a 24-hour danceathon.

Nine-year-old Maisie, who lives in Mileham, near Dereham, was inspired to raise funds for the air ambulance after they saved her dad Justin following a motorcycle crash in 2010.

She said: 'I wanted to help the air ambulance because they saved my daddy so I like to give money to help it out and for them to save more daddies.'

Maisie added: 'I like to dance and my dance teacher is fun so I knew she would say yes.'

The event brought together Dance With Me Academy and Act Too Performance Arts, both based in Dereham, with members of their child and adult classes taking part throughout the day.

The challenge kicked off at 9am on Saturday.

Kelly Dunlop, who runs Dance With Me Academy, said: 'I know what has happened and when I was asked about it I said 'yes' right away.

'Of course we wanted to help her. She is a little girl who want to raise lots of money for charity.'

Jeanie Woods, who runs Act Too Performance Arts, also helped to organise the event alongside Maisie's mother Lisa.

Mrs Moody said: 'We bumped into the EAAA fundraising team earlier this year and Maisie told them she would do this.

'She managed to persuade Kelly and Jeanie and now here we are.

'We are very proud, the whole family are proud of her and I know Kelly and Jeanie are proud too.

'I'm hoping for a lie-in on Christmas Day because she should still be worn out.'

Maisie raised more than £1,000 last Christmas and she hopes to reach £3,000 this time round.

Mr Moody said: 'It is good to think she is prepared to do it and she has appreciated what the air ambulance have done for us.

'She has done it all of her own back.'

To donate visit www.justgiving.com/maisie-moody9 or text DWMA50 followed by the amount to 70070.

Do you know an exceptional fundraiser? Write to doug.faulkner@archant.co.uk