Fundraisers support The Stacey Mowle Appeal at Cygnets Leisure Centre, Northfleet
00:00, 05 March 2015
updated: 13:49, 05 March 2015
Scores of keep fit fans leapt into action in a mass aerobic session to boost The Stacey Mowle Appeal.
The gym at Cygnets Leisure Centre in Northfleet was packed for the work-out to raise money to pay for Stacey Mowle to have lifesaving treatment in the United States.
The nine-year-old, of Trafalgar Road, Gravesend, is battling the final stages of relapsed neuroblastoma, a rare form of childhood cancer.
Time is running out for the brave schoolgirl and £500,000 is needed to fund specialist medical care neither available in the UK or funded by the NHS.
Her parents, Warren and Samantha, launched the appeal, which is the Messenger’s Charity of the Year, after news their daughter had suffered a serious relapse.
About £230,000 has been raised so far in a series of fundraisers, including skydives, a conga through the town and Live Aid style shows.
Close family friend Steve Nash, 42, a project manager from Vigo, has run a marathon for the appeal and more.
He said: “As soon as I saw Stacey I was hooked. I don’t have children nor many ties and I was determined from that moment to help.
“The aerobics was a win-win and was very popular. Not only are you getting fit and socialising, but you are helping such a good cause. It’s great that so many are getting behind the appeal.
“It all went fantastically well – better than we ever expected.”
Stacey was first diagnosed in May 2010 and underwent two years of treatment, including chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery.
Doctors said at the time Stacey had an aggressive form of cancer with an 80% chance of relapse, but amazingly, in December, 2010, scans showed she was clear.
The following year Stacey began to feel unwell and the family received the devastating news that she had suffered a relapse.
It would seem her only hope now is getting a powerful form of chemotherapy available at hospitals in either New York or Philadelphia.
For more pictures, see the Messenger, out today.
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