Jessica Knight suffered several stab wounds

The 14-year-old was stabbed up to 30 times as she walked through Astley Park in Chorley, Lancashire, last month.

Former Everton footballer David Unsworth went to Parklands High School, where Jessica is a pupil.

He has now donated the cash to Jessica's Fund, which was set up to help her recovery and pay for a dream holiday for her to Disneyland, Florida.

Mr Unsworth said: "I heard of the campaign and I thought it was a fantastic idea.

"It's bad enough when you see something like this on the national news," he said.

"But when it becomes personalised in terms of you know the area, you used to go to the same school that Jessica did and you have fond memories of Astley Park, where all my pals and myself used to hang out, it really hits home."

David Unsworth also went to Parklands High School

The fund has also been supported by football legend Sir Tom Finney.

Jessica was stabbed repeatedly as she walked through the park on the evening of 21 January.

She underwent emergency surgery in the aftermath of the attack and is still recovering in hospital.

French national Kristofer Beddar, of Daisy Hill Drive, Adlington, Chorley, has appeared at Preston Crown Court charged with Jessica's attempted murder.

He was remanded in custody to appear for a further hearing on 22 May.