Teen photographer's family hits fundraising goal

Liz Hatton died in November after having earlier been diagnosed with an aggressive desmoplastic small round cell tumour

The family of a teenage photographer who died from a rare form of cancer say they can now create a much-needed resource to help others with the disease after hitting their £100,000 fundraising target.

Liz Hatton, 17, from Harrogate, died in November from an aggressive desmoplastic small round cell tumour.

Liz's mother, Vicky Robayna, said the fundraising goal had been reached following an event at the weekend where her daughter's photographs were on display.

Ms Robayna said the funding would allow the family to work with the Children's Cancer and Leukaemia Group to collate the available research and information on the disease and make it easily available for families and doctors.

Vicky Robayna pictured with photographs taken by her daughter which were auctioned off last year as part of the fundraising appeal

Ms Robayna told BBC Radio York: "When Liz was diagnosed we literally scoured the internet trying to find information.

"We were constantly terrified there was something out there we were missing.

"Hopefully, no one will feel like that again because everything will be there in one place."

The project would take around a year, but was the first step in a long-term plan to improve outcomes for people with desmoplastic small round cell tumour, Ms Robayna said.

"There are conversations with doctors to be had this week to decide what we fundraise next and what piece of research is most important," she added.

Ms Robayna said the family also planned to launch a dedicated charity to fund research into the disease.

"We will keep going until we've made things different," she explained.

Ms Robayna said the fundraising event, which was held at Fewston Parochial Hall near Harrogate and which raised about £5,500, was attended by people "from far and wide" who had heard Liz's story and wanted to see her photographs.

The teenager had begun a photography bucket list appeal after being diagnosed in January last year, and she went on to photograph a number of famous people, including the Prince and Princess of Wales.

Ms Robayna said the mothers of Liz's primary school friends baked cakes to be sold at the event, while Liz's younger brother, Mateo, sold raffle tickets.

"We nearly sold out [of cakes] on Saturday, so we all went home and baked again on Saturday night. It was utterly incredible," she said.

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