The victim of a sickening assault posed for a light-hearted photo after former boxing champion Ricky Hatton became the latest celebrity to support her.

Evee-Anne Cooper, 12, attracted a huge wave of sympathy after a video of her being brutally assaulted was posted on social media.

It shows her begging for the beating to stop, but her attacker - a teenage girl - punches her repeatedly in the face as she holds her head up by her hair and stamps on her as she lies on the ground.

Actor Hugh Grant tweeted: "Arrest the parents" after police released on bail three girls arrested in connection with Evee-Anne Cooper's assault.

And boxer Ricky Hatton joined the call on Saturday night, telling his 554,000 Twitter followers that her attackers should be 'locked up forever.'

Evee-Anne's dad Paul Cooper replied to the Tweet with the jokey image, saying: "Evee-Anne wants to show you she has stolen her dad's old gloves to say thank you for caring."

Other celebrities to join the cause include former EastEnder Daniella Westbrook, who said: "Whatever awareness I can raise, I will."

It came as a fundraiser for the child, who was treated for head injuries, reached almost £3,500 within two days.

The attack was filmed in Arlington Gardens in Margate at 3.30pm on Thursday. KentOnline has decided not to show the footage.

Three girls, aged 13, 14 and 15, from Margate, were arrested on suspicion of assault and released on police bail.

A Gofundme page set up by Kyle Barber on Wednesday night has drummed up more than £3,300 and a flood of support for the victim.

Dominic Frisby wrote: "I am so sorry that your daughter, plainly a kind and gentle girl, had to experience such a horrible act of violence at such a young age.

"I pray that you and she will recover from the trauma, and send you my very best wishes."

Stuart Wraight added: "We too care all the way from Canada.

"Hope this will help you in such difficult times and our hearts are with you."

The victim - a pupil at Charles Dickens School in Broadstairs - was taken to hospital with head injuries.

Her devastated mum, Amanda Morris, posted on Facebook to say watching the video had left her sick to her stomach.