A SCHOOLGIRL diagnosed with terminal cancer, on cloud nine after meeting a famous pop star, is closing in on raising £35,000 for charity.

Kind-hearted members of the public have helped Rebecca Dalgleish achieve the phenomenal amount for Children’s Hospice Association Scotland (CHAS).

The charity, which supports more than 300 families, is the only one of its kind in the country that provides vital hospice services for children and young people with life-shortening conditions.

Becky met former X-Factor runner-up Olly Murs ahead of his gig at Glasgow’s SSE Hydro.

Rebecca (pictured), of Kingston, near North Berwick, said: “It was really good, just a nice surprise.

“I had tickets to go and see him in concert and it was organised by my mum and another charity (Rays of Sunshine) to meet him. He was really, really nice and just seemed genuinely concerned; he was a lovely, lovely man.” The 17-year-old, who has a ‘bucket list’, also received a stunning Michael Kors watch and matching friendship bracelet from jewellers Rox.

Rebecca told the Courier: “It’s rose gold and a mother of pearl face with a sparkly ring around the face.” The online fundraising total sat at more than £28,000 last week. But a series of fundraisers has helped push the total beyond £34,000.

Among those doing their bit were North Berwick Rotary Club, who held a coffee morning last Saturday.

Douglas Shiell, marketing, PR and communications with the town’s Rotary club, told the Courier: “We’ve always been involved with CHAS.

“It’s one of the charities that we have supported for quite a long time.

“It was decided that Rebecca had inspired us to do something.

“We held a coffee morning last year and that was very successful.” This year’s event was no different, with an impressive £750 raised, which the Rotary Club has agreed to double to £1,500.

Rebecca’s mum, Pam, popped into the coffee morning, which was held in the town’s Hope Rooms.

She described the idea to double the amount raised as “very kind” and added: “It was a good coffee morning.

“I went along because Becky was tired and took some of the wristbands [Becky designed to raise money] as well and they sold quite well too.” Rebecca was diagnosed with a malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumour (MPNST), which she nicknamed Monty, earlier this year.

Doctors told the teenager earlier this year she had “at least” six months to live but it was unlikely to be years.

Since then, she has dedicated herself to raising money for CHAS and also ticking things off her bucket list.

An initial fundraising target of £5,000 has well and truly been left trailing behind, with new targets being set.

She said: “I have to pinch myself.

“I didn’t think I would raise this much, but it is really good.

“I thought I would be struggling to get £10,000.” Meanwhile, she was also able to tick off another two items on her bucket list. The North Berwick High School pupil was able to attend the chocolate lounge, at Edinburgh’s Harvey Nichols, after a kind-hearted effort from CCLASP (Children with Cancer and Leukaemia Advice and Support for Parents).

She added: “It was amazing.

“I liked the conveyor belt of things going round and the chocolate was amazing.” The fundraising continues next week with a special ceilidh and curry night in North Berwick High School.

Tickets are £15 for the event, which runs 7-11pm next Friday (May 8).

To find out more go to beccadalg leish.wordpress.com or to make a donation visit www.justgiving.com/Rebecca-Dalgleish