Inspirational Philippa's £20,569 thank you to hospital

Philippa Hartley (15) endured chemotherapy after spotting a lump in her neck and being diagnosed with rare Burkitt's lymphoma in September.

Twin brother Fraser shaved his hair off when Philippa lost hers during treatment - and his touching gesture soon inspired friends and family to begin fundraising.

"They are so close," said mum Vicky. "Both Fraser and her older sister Alicia wanted to be there for Philippa. 

"After Fraser shaved his head, all the lads at Wath Rugby Club, where he plays, did theirs."

Other events included a netball match and cake sale organised by Alicia, friends and PE staff as well as a music concert at Philippa's school, Wath Comprehensive.

An event at Rockley Abbey raised £3,000, Philippa's boyfriend Cameron Hough added £500 by having his legs waxed and John Jesson's Rotherham Golf Club event brought in £1,000. 

Vicky said: "Family, friends and people who we don't even know have been so very generous and it has been extremely overwhelming."

The family have donated £10,000 to Ward M3 at Sheffield Children's Hospital where Philippa received "the most fantastic treatment", according to her mum, with the money to be spent on a new area on the ward dedicated to teenagers.

The same sum has been given to Parents' Association of Children with Tumours and Leukaemia to raise funds for a new oncology day centre. 

Philippa asked for the remaining £569.84 to be given to The Little Princess Trust, which supplied Philippa's real hair wig.

"We know that the money raised will make such a difference and that it has been so much appreciated," said Vicky. 

"It's just a small way of saying a huge thank you for the amazing care and treatment that Philippa received.

"Out of the awful situation we found ourselves in last October, we can now say that a huge positive has come out of it. 

"We couldn't have done it without everyone's support and we can't thank you all enough."

Philippa was referred to the hospital in September, where she underwent a series of tests, and MRI and CT scan and a biopsy. 

Doctors confirmed the diagnosis and she started the first of five courses of chemotherapy on October 1, making it home from ward M3 just in time for Christmas.

Vicky said: "Looking back, I knew something was wrong. I am a mother and we have a sixth sense about these things, so I knew it wasn't just a friendly lump."

Cheryl Davidson, community fundraiser at The  Ward Children's Hospital Charity, said: "It is inspiring to see a whole community coming together to turn something so devastating into something positive for others. 

"Without the support of people like this, the charity wouldn't be able to continue working to make Sheffield Children's Hospital better. 

"Thanks to the generosity of our donors we fund research into the prevention and cure of childhood illnesses, life-saving medical equipment and improvements to the facilities and environment."