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Dartford's Princes Park hosts fundraiser in honour of friends Amy Kemp and Maisie Watts

00:00, 06 August 2016

Hundreds of people teamed up to raise money in honour of two girls who spent much of their youth battling cancer.

Dartford’s Princes Park played host to the event, which was organised in the name of Amy Kemp and Maisie Watts.

The pair became close friends during their time in treatment at University College Hospital in London, but Amy who was supported by the ellenor hospice, passed away last year.

(L/R) Maisie Watts and Amy Kemp grew close during their time in treatment
(L/R) Maisie Watts and Amy Kemp grew close during their time in treatment

She and Maisie, who is now 13 and lives in Stone, always wanted to give something back to the ward and the fundraiser finally came to fruition in fine style last weekend .

Maisie’s mum, Lisa, said: “This is the first fundraising event that we have done and it’s been in the planning since before Christmas.

“It was Amy and Maisie’s idea to give something back to the ward and there must have been about 200 people who turned up.

“From the event and our Just Giving page, we raised a total of £2,130.”

Lisa Watts and Amy Kemp's mum Sarah Sunshine
Lisa Watts and Amy Kemp's mum Sarah Sunshine

All of the money has been put towards a make-up trolley for the ward, which will be regularly restocked for the patients in its care.

Lisa has also written a book documenting Maisie’s journey, as well as the experience of her 19-year-old sister Hollie, who was her bone marrow donor while she was in hospital.

“I wanted to do a keepsake for the girls because I had put everything on Facebook and thought if I ever lost that I would lose everything,” she explained.

“It’s the story of our family and all the highs and lows of having a transplant.”

Maisie Watts during her treatment with her sister and donor Hollie
Maisie Watts during her treatment with her sister and donor Hollie

Copies have been donated to the hospital for patients to read and Lisa is also taking orders directly.

The hope is that other young patients and donors will be able to use Maisie and Hollie’s experiences to help them confront their illness head on.

Lisa continued: “It’s taken me eight months to write and is the first and last book I’ve ever written.

“If Maisie had something like this when she was preparing for treatment it would have helped her know what to expect.”

Order a copy of the book by getting in touch with Lisa at lisawatts2426@gmail.com.

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