An ‘incredibly brave’ 11-year-old girl from Southampton is raising money for charity after being diagnosed with Leukaemia.
Bitterne girl, Charlie Travers had her life changed forever on March 7.
After spending weeks being misdiagnosed with various viruses, Charlie and her family had to face the most heart-aching and difficult period of their lives.
Charlie is now undergoing chemotherapy and, despite all the challenges she faces, wants to give back to the cancer charities that have supported her and her family.
Colleen Travers, Charlie's mum, said: “She is such an incredibly brave girl.
"She has got the biggest smile and is such a strong girl. She is kind, caring and loves to dance.
"What she has had to go through is just unthinkable - even having to take 10 tablets every day.
"The diagnosis turned our lives upside down, poor Charlie has been through absolute hell and back.
"The NHS should be our crown jewel - we owe everything to them."
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A fundraising event is being held for Charlie at St Mary’s Stadium, with the aim of having 3,200 people to stand around the pitch, hand in hand, to represent the distance from Charlie’s home in Bitterne to Southampton General Hospital - where Charlie continues to receive her treatment.
The event will be held on September 22, during Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, and will raise money for three organisations: Abby’s Heroes, Young Lives Versus Cancer and the Piam Brown Ward at Southampton General.
These two charities have supported Charlie and her family during her diagnosis and treatment and Charlie receives her treatment at the Piam Brown Ward.
Charlie said: “I’m asking for your help in holding my hand to make as much noise as we can to raise awareness because no child deserves to feel and go through what I have and still have 18 months treatment still to go.”
Louise Bell is a close friend of Charlie’s family and grew up with Colleen.
She added: “To be a parent and watch your child go through such hard ship is something none of us can imagine.
“Before starting her chemotherapy, Charlie had long dark brown hair reaching right down her back – it was so difficult for her to lose it all.
“She is an absolute girly girl and is so sociable. Even though her illness has made her so tried and lethargic – she is an absolute fighter.”
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