Girl gives up party to raise funds to fight cancer

Eight-year-old Harriet raised £1,200 for her aunt Melanie who has bowel cancer

A girl has forfeited her eighth birthday party to raise money in honour of her aunt who has bowel cancer.

Harriet invited 30 of her classmates to attend a sponsored fitness class, and raised £1,200 for Douglas Macmillan Hospice.

Instead of gifts and a party, she asked for friends and family to make a donation to her fundraiser.

Her aunt Melanie said the act of kindness proved "just how beautiful she is, inside and out".

Harriet said she wanted to show her aunt how "amazing" she is

On her JustGiving page, Harriet wrote: "I'm raising money to support my auntie Mel who has bowel cancer and for the nurses at the Douglas Macmillan hospice in Stoke who are helping her.

"They deserve it because the amazing nurses do such a great job at supporting both people who are poorly plus their families.

"I would like the money raised to go toward something special for the nurses to say a ginormous thank you for all that they do.

"Raising money for other people is like presents for me because I adore helping people."

She told BBC Radio Stoke her friends were shocked at the event "because not many children would do this".

"I just wanted to show my auntie Mel how amazing she is," Harriet added.

'Special little girl'

The children took part in boxing, archery, football and tennis.

Speaking about the event, her mum Camille said: "We're so proud of her. It was all her idea.

"She's a very special little girl. We're very thrilled."

In total, Harriet raised £1,090 through her JustGiving campaign and received £100 in cash donations - raising just under £1,200 in total.

Her aunt Melanie said she was not able to attend the event last Saturday as she was undergoing chemotherapy - but she celebrated with Harriet at home later.

She said: "She's my goddaughter and my niece and she's always going to be special to me but this just proves just how beautiful she is inside and out."

Speaking about the hospice, she added: "I cannot fault the Dougie Mac, they've helped me since the day I was diagnosed. They're absolutely fantastic."