A grandmother who has raised £50,000 to allow her granddaughter to have pioneering surgery in America has won a free pampering session.

Tessa Bastein won a competition which was organised by Christine Harvey from hair and beauty salon, Through the Looking Glass, which is in Watford Road, Sudbury.

Ms Bastein was nominated by her friend Samantha Cole.

Ms Cole told the judges that the grandmother had tirelessly fundraised to make the £50,000 needed to allow her six-year-old granddaughter Mia, who has cerebral palsy, to fly to the USA for surgery to help her walk.

Ms Bastein, who lives in Harlesden, raised the money by holding events such as a curry night, quiz nights and a karaoke night.

She also did a skydive and packed bags in her local supermarket.

Ms Bastein, who will be flying with Mia to America for the treatment this week, also holds down a full-time job as a legal secretary.

They will be in America for almost two months while Mia has surgery and then physiotherapy.

Ms Bastein has chosen to have her pampering session when she gets home.

She will be given a luxury manicure and pedicure, a back and head massage and a hair treatment.

Ms Cole said: “Tessa is a major credit to our community and would benefit so much from a well deserved pamper session.”

Ms Harvey said: "There are so many unsung heroes in our community who work tirelessly for others. We wanted to invoke the local residents to help us find a winner.

“Tessa is incredible, she shows incredible determination. To find someone so amazing is fantastic.

“Out there, there are people just triumphing.”