Girl, 10, with leukaemia honoured after raising £12k making bracelets

54 minutes ago

Lynette HorsburghNorth West

Emily, pictured with Lee Crompton, family service assistant at Ronald McDonald House Manchester, says she was surprised at the honour of having a room named after her

Ronald McDonald House UK Emily wearing a pale pink hoodie stands beside Lee Crompton, family Service assistant at Ronald McDonald House Manchester, in a navy Ronald McDonald House Charities T-shirt. The pair are posing indoors outside a room at Ronald McDonald House Manchester named after her with framed artwork featuring lucky cat figures on the wall behind them. A white decorative ribbon bow hangs on the wall to the left, and a poster above references fundraising through handmade bracelets. The pair are both smiling. — Emily, pictured with Lee Crompton, family service assistant at Ronald McDonald House Manchester, says she was surprised at the honour of having a room named after her

A young girl who raised £12,000 by making bracelets during her leukaemia treatment has said she was "surprised and proud" a cancer support charity has named a room after her.

Emily, 10, of Askam-in-Furness, Cumbria, was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, a rare type of cancer affecting the blood and bone marrow, in April.

During her five-week stay at Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, her parents and brother stayed at the nearby Ronald McDonald House Manchester, which provides accommodation to families with children in hospital.

Emily said having them close "meant so much to me" and she began making bracelets as a "thank you" to the charity, which praised her "incredible" efforts.

What began as an overnight hospital visit turned into a five-week stay when doctors confirmed she needed to start treatment immediately.

The family lives more than a two-hour drive away from Manchester, so Emily's parents were offered accommodation at the Ronald McDonald House Manchester, allowing them to stay close to her throughout her treatment.

Emily has made more than 1,000 bracelets and raised more than £12,000

Ronald McDonald House UK A white wicker basket lined with floral-patterned fabric displays containing an assortment of handmade beaded bracelets on a counter top as part of a fundraiser. A handwritten sign inside the basket reads: "Handmade by Emily ♥ suggested donation of £2." Colourful bracelets with tags are arranged in and around the basket, including several pink, pearl and pastel-coloured designs placed on the table in front. — Emily has made more than 1,000 bracelets and raised more than £12,000

The house also meant her brother could visit her and stay at weekends.

"It was such a massive relief," her mum, Jill, said. "It meant both of us could stay close to Emily and focus on supporting her through treatment."

During her time in hospital, Emily began making bracelets and sold them to raise money for the Ronald McDonald House UK charity.

Friends, family, local clubs, and supporters rallied behind Emily, donating materials and organising additional fundraising events, which has seen her raise £12,000.

Emily said: "I started making bracelets because I wanted to say thank you to Ronald McDonald House Manchester for supporting my family when I was poorly.

"We thought if I raised a couple of hundred pounds it would be amazing, so I never imagined it would become something this big."

She added: "Being able to stay close to my mum and dad during my treatment meant so much to me, and Ronald McDonald House Manchester helped make that possible."

Jill says it was a "massive relief" to be able to stay with Emily during her treatment

Ronald McDonald House UK Emily with blond hair in a pink hoodie and her mum, Jill, sit together at a wooden table in a bright cafe. A small potted plant is positioned in the backround, with additional tables, chairs, and a wall-mounted television visible in the background. Large windows allow natural light into the room, and another seated visitor can be seen in the distance. They are both smiling. — Jill says it was a "massive relief" to be able to stay with Emily during her treatment

Natasha Swindell, senior community fundraiser at Ronald McDonald House UK, said the charity had been "amazed by what Emily has achieved".

"Her fundraising started as a way of saying thank you, but it has grown into something truly extraordinary."

She said the amount raised was an "incredible achievement and the impact of that support will be felt by families staying with us for years to come".

She said the charity was "incredibly proud" to be naming a room in Emily's honour and "celebrating the difference she has made to so many families facing some of the toughest times in their lives".

Natasha Swindell, from Ronald McDonald House UK, said Emily's fundraising was "incredible"

Ronald McDonald House UK Emily, a young girl with blond hair wearing a pale pinl hoodie and t-shirt, with Natasha Swindell who has blond hair wearing a beige shirt and black t-shirt and jeans. They stand indoors holding handmade beaded bracelets. Behind them is a decorative wall featuring a large white tree mural with green leaves and small bird shapes against a purple background. They are both smiling. — Natasha Swindell, from Ronald McDonald House UK, said Emily's fundraising was "incredible"

Emily's mum, Jill, added: "What started off as something little became something much bigger than we ever expected.

"Ronald McDonald House UK helps so many families. We honestly don't know what we would have done without it."

Emily said she was surprised at the honour.

"I'm really proud that the room will help other families stay together and create special memories when they need support most," she said.

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