Relatives and friends of an Alexandria girl suffering from a rare lung condition have launched a charity appeal in a bid to help other children with a similar condition.

Five-year-old Harper Hyslop was on top of the world last year when she made her TV debut in a new series of children's hit series The Teletubbies.

The show's producers had visited her nursery to stage auditions for the show, and later got back in touch to invite Harper and her friends to a film shoot with the Teletubbies in Aviemore – where they were tasked with making a giant caterpillar out of snow.

Her mum, Jodie Mitchell, said: “They all loved it at the time, and Harper still talks about it”.

But now she realises her daughter was even then suffering the early symptoms of a condition that currently means she has to be on oxygen 24 hours a day.

She said: “Harper was diagnosed with a rare form of children's interstitial lung disease. She has not had this since birth and has lived an independent life and enjoyed being on the go and participating in activities with her friends.”

From a happy and lively girl she suddenly “lost her spark”, prompting the start of a lengthy medical process.

Jodie Mitchell says she was initially told it was a virus, but after nearly six weeks there was no improvement and was then told Harper was suffering from constipation.

Treatment made no difference and it was Harper had silent pneumonia, but antibiotics failed to make any difference and finally – after several weeks in hospital – she learned that Harper has a rare form of interstitial lung disease.

Jodie Mitchell said: “She has had a biopsy, and now we're waiting for the results and whatever comes next.”

She has set up a Harper's Helpers group to raise awareness – and funds – for the charity ChILD UK, which works to help children with lung conditions of the sort Jodie is suffering from.

And on September 10 they will be staging a fundraising drive by climbing Ben Lomond, with an initial target of £1,000.

Jodie Mitchell said: “This will hopefully help with further research, and enable all children experiencing this condition to do so with a bit more ease and comfort”.

Anyone wishing to donate can do so at the Justgiving page set up for the appeal at https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Jodie-Mitchell-Hyslop