Juniors help in teen's op bid

Two teams for Molly's Match

A KIND-HEARTED cricket club has managed to stump up more than £1,000 for a teenage girl undergoing treatment for a brain tumour in America.

A junior twenty20 match saw Shaw Cricket Club raise a bumper £1,100 for 16-year-old Molly Howarth.

Battled

As well as Molly's Match ­- thought up by club junior Josh Matley ­- the day also saw cash totals rise thanks to a raffle, auction, cake sale, name cards and other donations.

As the Chronicle has since reported, Molly's brain tumour initially went undiagnosed as she battled through the GCSE exam period with her symptoms being attributed to an ear infection and stress.

Achievements

Despite her symptoms, she achieved an outstanding seven A*s and four As from Crompton House School.

Despite her symptoms ­- which included headaches, nausea and dizziness and fluctuated in severity ­- Molly continued to revise and began sitting her exams on May 16.

Around the start of June she found herself struggling to walk and midway through an English exam Molly was taken to Rochdale's Urgent Care Unit where she was referred for an MRI scan which revealed a cancerous brain tumour.

Three days later she had an operation and another three weeks on underwent proton beam therapy, a type of radiotherapy used to destroy cancerous cells, in Florida.

Perfect

Dave Andrew, Shaw Cricket Club chairman, said: "It was a picture perfect day last Sunday with glorious weather.

"The event was really good, we got a great turnout from all our juniors and their parents along with other people connected to Molly."

"When we were approached by Josh's mum about his idea, from our point of view it was an instant decision.

"If we can help and raise the funds it is our job as a part of the community.

"There was a really good feel around the place and there was really good support from the community.

"The match itself was a really close contest and played in great spirit.

"The club wishes Molly and her family all the best for her current treatment and the future."