AN ONLINE fundraiser to support the family of an ‘incredibly brave’ young girl diagnosed with a rare cancer has topped £11,000.
Cleo Greig, of Cleator, has recently been diagnosed with anaplastic large cell lymphoma - a rare cancer which only five children in the UK are diagnosed with each year.
The six-year-old will be having intense chemotherapy for the next five months which could be two or three times a week at the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle.
Cleo’s godmother, Lauren Tyson, set up a GoFundMe page to support Cleo’s parents, Ashleigh and Jamie, and the page has now raised more than £11,000.
Lauren said: “We set up a GoFundMe page after the incredible response Uncle Baldy (Joss Tyson) had on his fundraising page for going sober for October, raising money for Macmillan Cancer Support.
“We want to try and help to take some of the smaller worries away for Cleo’s parents, Ashleigh and Jamie. When I set the page up, I set a target of £1,000. In just three days, we’ve hit over £10,000. I can't believe it.
“I can’t thank everyone enough for the kindness, support and generosity that they have shown to them over the last few days. Although I wish for obvious reasons we weren’t having to do this, I’m really grateful to every single person who has donated to help them at this heartbreaking time.
"I truly thank you all from the bottom of my heart and I know Ashleigh and Jamie do too.”
Lauren said Cleo had been ‘incredibly brave’ through her diagnosis.
She said: “Cleo is the most amazing, beautiful little girl. She lights up a room as soon as she enters. Her smile melts my heart like you wouldn’t believe. She is so funny, quick-witted and full of sass, just like her Mam.
“Cleo plays football for Windscale U7s, she’s the only girl on the team but that doesn’t stop her. She is fierce and brave and gets stuck in, just like the boys. The support from the local football community has been amazing. Other clubs are organising fundraising events to support the family. We have also had support from local schools that are organising fundraising too.
“Cleo likes playing with her friends, singing and dancing and watching YouTube. She has a big brother Daley and two big sisters Lexi and Marcie.”
A Glitz & Glam charity night is also due to be held on November 22 and is being organised by Julie Rutherford.
Lauren added: “The amount of people who have reached out, especially local businesses, to donate raffles prizes has been incredible, the acts on the night for dedicating their time, I’ve never known generosity like it.
“It’s really special to see people coming together at this incredibly hard time. We are still on the lookout for donations for our raffle, so if you think you could help please do get in touch. It would be much appreciated.”
Anyone who would like to donate to the Go Fund Me page, can do so here: www.gofundme.com/f/cleo-violet-greig
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