Community unites for brain tumour youngster

Elijah Miller, a pupil at Swinton Fitzwilliam Primary School, has begun radiation therapy at Weston Park Hospital.

The nine-year-old has asked his parents if he can go to Legoland in Windsor in a limousine when his treatment is completed—which is part of the fund-raising bid.

Parents from Elijah’s school have already hosted a fund-raising party at the Victoria Club in Swinton which notched up more than £1,000.

The event, which featured a raffle, tombola, face painting, games and children’s entertainers, was hosted by the parents after they heard of Elijah’s illness.

One of the organisers, Amanda Hudson, said: “The response we have had from businesses donating prizes and the rest of the community has been absolutely brilliant.”

This weekend, daredevil Joanne Ward will also do her bit by doing a tandem sky dive at Langar Airfield in Nottingham.

Joanne (38), a family support worker, said: “I had already signed up to do a tandem dive for the NSPCC but when I heard about Elijah, I decided to donate any further money to him.

“Elijah is good friends with my son and his brother is friends with my daughter.

“There are many people that think I must be mad doing this jump, but I just wanted to do anything that I could to help Elijah and his family.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has sponsored me and helped me raise money for two good causes.

“Even more so, thanks to everyone who was at the charity night who has already pledged money to Elijah, then to gone on sponsor me.”

This is not the first time that Joanne has taken a leap of faith.

“My husband and I carried out a 3,000ft static line jump 11 years ago and I have always wanted to do a tandem jump,” she said.

“So when I saw the advert I thought ‘what a great opportunity,’ so here I am."

-To sponsor Joanne email [email protected] or contact her on 07803 168560.