EXCLUSIVE

by Gerry Warren

gwarren@thekmgroup.co.uk

Another painful anniversary has just passed for the parents of Molly Bubb, who died suddenly from a brain tumour in October 2008.

Kerry and Ashley Bubb lost their little girl when she was just four-years-old and last week held a vigil at her graveside in Sturry near Canterbury where a lantern was lit and sent into the sky.

But they have found comfort in the extraordinary success of the appeal set up in Molly’s memory and since experienced the joy of having another daughter, Ibby, now nine-months-old.

The fund has reached a remarkable £62,000, which is helping to pay for vital awareness, research and early diagnosis of brain tumours in children.

Kerry, 28, of Woodside Road, Sturry, said: "I am amazed by how successful it has been.

"I never thought we could raise that much in just three years and we are so grateful for everyone’s support."

Ashley, 32, who is a track maintenance supervisor for London Underground, said: "Obviously, we were overjoyed to have another baby girl but there were also mixed feelings.

"Ibby was never meant to replace Molly and it would have been wonderful for them to have been sisters together."

The couple also have an 11-year-old son, Colby, whose birthday is the day before the anniversary of Molly’s death.

Kerry said: "We try not to let it affect his celebrations but inevitably it does and has changed his life for ever.

Important

"But we are so proud that despite everything he’s been through, he passed his Kent test and is going to a grammar school."

She added: "The appeal is still going strong and some of the money has gone towards the HeadSmart campaign aimed at raising awareness of brain tumours and promoting early diagnosis.

"It’s very important to us because we were given many different diagnoses before someone actually scanned Molly and told us she had a brain tumour.

"So she was left to suffer without the appropriate medication and we were left not knowing what was happening.

"We know that an early diagnosis wouldn’t have saved Molly’s life but it would have made her last days more comfortable and possibly given us time to bring her home to spend those last few precious days with her.

"If this early diagnosis campaign saves one child and one family from going through what we did then we know it would have been worthwhile."

The next fundraiser will be a wine and wisdom evening on Saturday, November 26, at a venue yet to be fixed.

The family are also planning something for next March, which will be Brain Tumour Awareness Month.