Niamh's Next Step cancer charity passes £250k milestone

Niamh Curry died aged five of neuroblastoma

A couple whose five-year-old daughter died of cancer have spoken of the huge "support" they have received after a £250,000 fundraising milestone was hit.

Niamh Curry, from Wellingborough, died in 2012, days after her family raised most of the £365,000 needed for treatment in the US.

Parents Sam and Chris Curry donated that money to charity and have since raised a further £250,000.

"We've had so much support from so many people," said Mr Curry.

Niamh, pictured aged four, and her elder sister Hannah, then aged eight

Chris, Samantha and Hannah Curry before winning the Pride of Northamptonshire Award in 2013

Niamh was diagnosed with neuroblastoma, a form of aggressive childhood cancer which attacks the sympathetic nervous system, in 2010 when she was three.

She underwent several bouts of medication, including chemotherapy, radiotherapy and an operation to remove a tumour, but the cancer returned at the end of 2011. She lost her fight against the disease in 2012.

'Terrible situation'

But her parents pledged to continue raising money for research into the disease and set up the Niamh's Next Step charity, with many fundraising events and sponsored activities.

Mr Curry said since losing their daughter he and his wife had been "called" into raising money in her memory, to help research into neuroblastoma.

"We would have loved not to have gone through what we went through, and we would love to still have her around, even from that terrible situation it would have been wrong to walk away," he said.

Fundraising for Niamh's Next Step:

• For three years, the charity has held a Gala Ball, increasing their total each year. This year saw over £40,000 in donations

• A Strictly Come Dancing-style event at the Deco Theatre Northampton raised over £36,000

• Teams in cars worth less than £500 took part in a 2,500-mile rally around Europe, raising over £20,000

• Northampton Saints star Paul Diggin's testimonial match raised £10,000

• Wellingborough businesswoman Sarah Stoute raised over £10,000 by climbing Mount Kilimanjaro in February last year

• Next year the charity is organising a London to Paris bike ride

Niamh's Next Step website says it was set up to help families fight the "vile childhood cancer"