SUPPORTERS watched as wrestlers fought in the ring for charity on Sunday.

Southampton-based group Charity Wrestling Promotion (CWP) hosted the sporting event at Oasis Hub, Lordshill, which included six matches, to raise money for charity Harper’s Little Helpers.

The charity was opened by the family of three-year-old Harper Shamrock, who was diagnosed with Spastic Quadriplegic Cerebral Palsy.

Norwich-born girl Harper has trouble with motor functions in her hands and arms, along with trouble controlling muscles in her mouth.

She needs to raise £80,000 to have selective dorsal rhizotomy (SDR) surgery in America, a spinal surgery not available on the NHS that could allow her to walk unaided.

Wrestler and event promoter Robbie Nitro said: “I was spoken to by wrestlers who've been involved with Harper, including the Knight family who were in wrestling movie Fighting With My Family.

“The family has been part of my events before and are very close to Harper and family, so they asked me if I would host an event for her, and when I saw her, she melted my heart. That's why we held the event, with me as a dad myself and having a local company.”

He added: “We raised £550 for the charity - Harper's family were really pleased. Unfortunately, little Harper had to go as she wasn’t very well so we did the show in her honour. It was the best show CWP have done to date - the wings challenge went very well with new champion James Hughes.”

The event involved a hot buffalo wing contest, with competitors going against Southampton resident Ashley Jenkins, who previously held the record for eating 44 hot wings in two minutes.

Her father Steve said: “We're massively overwhelmed by the support we are receiving and to see help for Harper coming from all across the country just gives us massive hope that we will achieve our goal and give Harper a chance to walk and live a pain free life as normal as is possible.”

To donate, visit www.justgiving.com/campaigns/charity/just4children/harperslittlehelpers.