Thousands raised for girl, 5, with terminal cancer

Rosie's parents have been able to take time off work to support their daughter

The parents of a five-year-old girl who was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer have thanked people for helping them while they care for their daughter.

Charlotte and Stefan, from Shavington in Cheshire, said people had raised more than £40,000, which had enabled them to take time off work to look after Rosie.

She needs 24-hour care, and is receiving chemotherapy. The family said doctors had only seen one other case like hers.

They said a 6cm (2.3 inches) tumour could not be removed, and they were unable to say how long she had left to live.

The family first noticed symptoms in November, but said no major concerns had initially been raised when they visited opticians and doctors.

Rosie went cross-eyed, one day, and her right eye "pinged the other way," her mother said.

Rosie is undergoing chemotherapy treatment, but her parents say she keeps on smiling

Charlotte said she was trying to be positive.

"It's a bit of a surreal situation that we're in. It doesn't feel like it's us, it feels like we're watching somebody else go through it," she said.

Stefan said Rosie had been "very accepting" of all the treatment she needed and that he and his wife were trying to ensure she was able to live as normal a life as possible.

"Obviously it's not a normal situation, but when she gets the chance to be a little girl, we let her be a little girl," he said.

Doctors say they do not know how much longer Rosie has left to live

He added that his employer had been "incredibly supportive".

"At any time that I need to go, I'll be allowed to leave," he said.

"If I need to use holidays to have the time off, or any unpaid leave - they will support me that way."

Charlotte said she could not thank enough those who had supported them.

"The love and the support has just been on another level," she said, adding that she still believed Rosie would pull through.

"I will fight for her, we'll both fight for her."

Stefan added: "We're very lucky that we've got each other, and we're lucky that we've got such a little fighter as well."