If you think you’ve had a tough year, spare a thought for Stacey Mowle – the brave nine-year-old has been in and out of hospital as she battles a rare childhood cancer.

But like other youngsters, she is now looking forward to Christmas – at home with her family.

The people of north Kent have taken her to their hearts, but their support will be needed more than ever looking ahead to a crucial year in 2015.

Stacey, of Trafalgar Road, Gravesend, has relapsed neuroblastoma and needs to raise £500,000 to get treatment available only in America.

For many, such a sum of money would seem unreachable, but she is lucky enough to have a team of dedicated fundraisers behind her.

The appeal has raised more than £200,000 so far, with everything from giant conga lines to concerts and parties.

The Messenger has chosen her for its charity of the year in 2015.

To mark the occasion and give Stacey an early Christmas present, we gave her two Build-A-Bear Factory cuddly toys. The appeal has incredible patronage on a local level, but also has backing from around the world and from numerous celebrities.

Famous patrons include Gravesend singer and former X Factor finalist Tamera Foster, Leicester City FC defender and ex-England international Paul Konchesky and Queens Park Rangers FC manager Harry Redknapp, not to mention comedian Joe Pasquale and Birds of a Feather actress Linda Robson.

Stacey’s dad Warren Mowle and appeal member Steve Nash came into the Messenger office to chat with us about what is next for Stacey and how people can help.

Mr Nash said: “This year we’ve done about 30 events, and from the amount we’ve raised I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s about £20,000. We are on about the £210,000 mark now overall.”

Mr Nash has completed various fundraising challenges for the appeal and is a close friend of the Mowle family.

He explained that it was not just money people could donate – time and expertise can be just as important.

He said: “When we’ve gone to business group meetings and we’ve talked about Stacey with a slide show, they look up at you and sort of say, ‘well, what do you want us to do about it?’

“But it can be a case of, do you have expertise in social media, can you help us reach out to more people? The first question people ask is ‘what can they do?’

“It’s educating people that there is so much they can do without spending money.”

Mr Nash also said the appeal could offer help in return as they have many followers on Twitter and Facebook.

He said: “If you have a business, we can get 8,000 people knowing about you and what you do through social media and press releases.”

Due to the fluctuating nature of neuroblastoma, it is not possible to take Stacey to the USA until she is fit to travel.

The treatment can only begin across the Atlantic when doctors are satisfied that much of the disease has been eradicated.

Mr Mowle said at the moment she is getting the best treatment possible in this country. The youngster receives regular scans during her weekly hospital visits.

He said: “In herself, she is fine. Recent scan results show that there is still substantial disease in her bone, which means we still need to get treatment in the UK before America will accept her for treatment. But generally she’s looking forward to Christmas and is her happy, bubbly self.”

Mr Nash added: “Whatever is thrown at her, she bats it back. She is a fighter.”

For more information on the Stacey Mowle Appeal, see www.thestaceymowleappeal.co.uk