More on KentOnline
More on KentOnline
Family and friends of a seriously-ill child are hoping to raise £10,000 to make her dreams come true.
A fundraising page has been set up for seven-year-old Olivia Maloney, who was diagnosed with a Wilms’ tumour in 2013, when she was just three-and-a-half.
About 80 to 85 youngsters a year in the UK are diagnosed with the condition, a type of kidney cancer in children which most often affects under sevens.
Olivia, who has a one-year-old brother Torron, has been through chemotherapy and major surgery.
Her grandmother Helene Wallace, who has a caravan at Eastchurch Holiday Centre, in Fourth Avenue, said: “Olivia was born with cancer, but it didn’t come to light until she was three-and-a-half.
“She has been in and out of remission but we were told the other week there is nothing more doctors can do for her.
“The cancer has spread from her kidney to her lung and now to her liver.
“We just hope that someday soon there’s a cure for cancer.
“It breaks our hearts seeing Olivia go through this and there’s nothing any of us can do to stop it.”
She added: “She’s a very brave, beautiful and cheeky little girl.”
"It breaks our hearts seeing Olivia go through this and there's nothing any of us can do to stop it" - Helene Wallace
Mrs Wallace, 68, said family and friends were trying to raise as much money as possible to grant wishes for Olivia, who is from Welling, which include having her own Michael Kors handbag and going to watch Matilda in London’s West End.
A fun day will be held at The Sunnymead Club at Eastchurch Holiday Centre on Saturday, August 26 from noon to 2pm.
There will be birds of prey, magicians, games, a colouring competition, pirate special guests and a Princess Sofia meet and greet.
Tickets cost £3 per child and all proceeds will go towards Olivia’s Wish and Macmillan Cancer Support.
Mrs Wallace said: “We are overwhelmed with the amount of support we’ve so far received.
“Never in a million years do you think this will happen to one of your grandchildren. It’s terrible.
“Olivia’s mum Brooke, my daughter, has not left her side and I just cannot imagine what she’s going through as a mother.
“That’s why we want to make things a little easier for her and make Olivia’s dreams come true.”
So far, £1,895 has been raised.
