AN aspiring young actress from St Austell who has battled a number of health challenges is appealing for help as she seeks to further her career.

Julianna Nicholson-Hardwick, 21, has been accepted at a top drama school but says she needs additional funding so she can take up her place.

Julianna says she wants to go into screen acting following her training and would like to be an advocate for others with disabilities to show that with hard work and determination and the right support you can achieve your dreams.

She said: “I have been performing since the age of three and have been involved in musical theatre, pantomime, plays, short films and college productions and I was cast in an advertisement for the National Trust.”

The budding actress was a member of the Trewoon Pantomime Group where she had ensemble and principal parts, and at present is a member of the St Austell Players, recently having a part of their production of Anne Boleyn.

Julianna was also in the ensemble for An Inspector Calls at the Plymouth Theatre Royal with the National Theatre.

For the last 18 months, Danny Taylor of Daniel Taylor Productions has been her acting coach and mentor.

Julianna’s mum Lynn Nicholson said: “My daughter is currently fundraising to go to drama school. She has accepted a place at the Performance Preparation Academy (PPA) in Guildford and has just set up a gofundme page.

“Julianna has significant autism and a developmental delay. She also has the rare condition of functional neurological disorder (FND), Tourettes Syndrome and Irlens Syndrome.

But she has worked really hard to get accepted into one of the top drama schools, so we are doing all we can to make sure she can take up the place. People can donate via https://gofund.me/1737abc3.”

Julianna said: “I am hardworking and determined to hone my skills for a successful career. Every donation, no matter how small, will help me to take up this opportunity.”