A top chef has donated more than $2,400 to a woman battling an autoimmune disease.

Michiko Campbell, who works at the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club and also created the Chiko’s range of rubs for meat, raised the cash through his annual Christmas charity event.

He handed a cheque for $2,409 yesterday to Jahnika Lightbourne, who suffers from lupus, to help her with her medical expenses.

Mr Campbell learnt about Ms Lightbourne’s plight through her GoFundMe page and was touched by her story.

Ms Lightbourne had undergone several operations and will require more in the future.

She said: “I am very thankful for this generous donation and to Chef Chiko for choosing me as the recipient.”

Lupus causes the body’s defence system to identify its own tissue as foreign and attack it.

An estimated five million people worldwide have lupus, with more women sufferers than men.

The funds were raised at Chiko’s Smokey Rub Christmas Charity Event, held at Albouy’s Point on December 23 and which provided a Christmas meal for more than 800 people in need.