£10,000 target in memory of Molly

Molly-Ann Smith (3), who died on Christmas Day in 2005.

A HEARTBROKEN family is preparing to walk 170 miles from Oldham to Bristol in memory of a three-year-old girl who tragically died of cancer.

Molly-Ann Smith lost her battle with a rare cancer, neuroblastoma, on Christmas day 2005. To mark the 10th anniversary of her death, members of her family will take on the challenging walk in a bid to raise awareness and money for two charities.

Molly’s cousin Ryan Grady (28) said: “We all wanted to do something to mark the anniversary of her death and help those who helped her. We’re hoping to raise £10,000 — £1,000 for each year.”

The 14 will set off from Oldham on January 6 and walk for 17 hours a day to reach Bristol, where Molly lived, aiming to arrive on January 9 - which would have been her birthday.

Ryan, from Heyside, said: “I do a lot of walking but I know it will be tough. We’re hoping to stay in hotels along the way, but we may have to camp out in tents if not. The weather will be against us but we won’t give up. Molly-Ann will keep us going all the way.”

He described his cousin as “clever and beautiful little girl” who was always smiling despite her illness. She was incredibly brave for someone so young. She must have been in terrible pain but she never cried or let it show.”

Doctors warned Molly-Ann’s family that their little girl had only weeks to live and would not make it to Christmas.

Her parents, Ann and John, wanted to move the day forward, but festivities were cut short as Molly-Ann fell into a coma.

Ryan added: “She loved Christmas and always looked forward to it so we knew she’d try make it.

“She had been very ill for a while but on Christmas day she opened her eyes, smiled and was able to open her presents before she died that afternoon.

“It was incredibly sad and the family were devastated.”

The money raised will go to children’s cancer charity CLIC Sargent, which provides support, and Hugs for Henry — a charity set up by parents of a neuroblastoma sufferer to help others in the same situation.