Day nets £3k for bereaved families

FAMILY, friends and Abigail's mum Donna at the fundraiser

2 More Image(s) In Gallery

A FUN day to commemorate the 18th birthday of a little girl who died 14 years ago has so far raised £3,000 for a retreat which supports families affected by terminal illnesses.

Abigail Dodd, from Royton died aged three in October 2002, after a year-long battle with cancer and would have been 18 next month.

As part of her treatment, Abigail had two operations to remove tumours from her brain as well as undergoing chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

To commemorate her birthday, her mum, Donna Dodd, hosted a family fun day at Tara Leisure in Shaw on Sunday - raising £3000 so far for Reuben's Retreat.

Reuben's Retreat, created in memory of Reuben Graham who died at the age of two following a tumour, is raising money to provide a retreat in the North-West which will support families who have suffered the bereavement of a child or have a child suffering from a life-threatening illness.

The charity already owns the empty Woods Hospital in Glossop and is raising funds to carry out renovations that would make it ready.

The fun day saw families enjoy candy carts, an auction, tombola and kids Zumba as well as 18 balloons in memory of Abigail and two in memory of Reuben being released.

Donna Dodd said: "It was phenomenal, we have raised on the last count £3,000 and that is for just from a few hours work.

"I couldn't have asked for any more, the day went swimmingly. It was really busy, from the time we started we had loads of people attending."

She said: "I am eternally grateful for all the local businesses who donated prizes and helped raise funds and to my mum and the girls who helped out and Tara Leisure Centre for hosting it."

She added: "There were people who were there who had never even met Abigail and they had come out to support us. People have travelled from miles away to be with us.

"All the kids had a great day. It was so busy. I can't thank everybody enough for putting so much time and effort in."

The amount raised is still being calculated and anyone looking to donate can do so by visiting virginmoneygiving.com/team/abigailsparty.