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TikTok’s Sevda Ela, Cole and Abbie, Amy Jo Simpson plus Diversity and TOWIE’s Kirk Norcross rally for Sheppey family with Dance for Joules trend

By: Davina Jethwa djethwa@thekmgroup.co.uk

Published: 13:01, 11 November 2024

Updated: 14:56, 11 November 2024

Social media stars and celebrities have rallied for a six-year-old diagnosed with incurable cancer.

Joe and Elisha Smith from Minster, on Sheppey, received devastating news in May that their little girl Joules had just months to live.

Six-year-old Joules has been diagnosed with a brain tumour

Influencers have taken to TikTok to raise awareness for childhood cancer in a trend called Dancing for Joules.

The campaign has seen big names with millions of followers including Sevda Ela, Cole and Abbie, Amy Jo Simpson, street dance group Diversity and The Only Way is Essex star Kirk Norcross take part.

Joe has called the support “amazing” and said they are “so proud of it all”.

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The dad, who has his own TikTok account, has dedicated his page to making memories and videos with his “princess”, sharing updates and helping other families to recognise symptoms.

In July, KentOnline reported how a fundraiser had been set up after Joules’ parents were told she had an incurable tumour.

They first noticed Joules’ symptoms during a week-long trip to Center Parcs with Kirk, who is also a family friend.

Joe said her balance was off, her eyes didn’t look right and she had a head tilt to one side.

Tests at Medway Maritime Hospital in Gillingham initially came back clear but after her condition seemed to worsen, a scan showed a mass on her brain.

The Minster Primary School pupil was rushed to King's College Hospital in London where she was diagnosed with midline glioma.

Joe had said their “world since that minute has never been the same” and called it “every parent’s nightmare.”

Now the family is doing all they can to make the most of the time they have left with Joules.

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The fundraiser, which has raised nearly £90,000, has allowed them to take her on trips to the New Forest, Scotland and Windsor.

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Parents Joe and Elisha Smith with Joules

In a heartbreaking update posted online, Joe said: “We haven’t got much time left now, they have given us the possibility of weeks.

“Thank you so much to everyone for all your support, all the money that has been raised – we’ve managed to give her the best five or six months she has ever had.”

Now, the family are focusing on making this a “happy time” for “their whole world” while asking for people to keep dancing and raising awareness.

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