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Simon Webbe to sing at charity ball in Gillingham for mum Kelly Wright fighting second cancer battle

00:01, 04 March 2019

Pop star Simon Webbe will top the bill at a charity ball to help save the life of a mother-of-two.

The Blue singer will help raise money for Kelly Wright, 45, who is fighting her second battle with cancer but hopes pioneering treatment will be her miracle cure.

She underwent a mastectomy and two years of chemotherapy in her fight with breast cancer but while training for a marathon to raise money for charity, discovered the disease had spread to her bones.

Simon Webbe will perform at a concert at the Priestfield Stadium to raise money for Kelly Wright's treatment
Simon Webbe will perform at a concert at the Priestfield Stadium to raise money for Kelly Wright's treatment

There is no treatment available on the NHS but she is trying to raise £10,000 to take part in a trial by a specialist London clinic.

A number of fundraising events are being organised, including a ball at Priestfield Stadium, Gillingham, which features Webbe.

Kelly was just in her 30s when she was diagnosed with breast cancer and had a mastectomy.

At the time her children were young - Macey was four and Drew just one. Her world fell apart.

Over the following two years she underwent gruelling chemotherapy treatment, complicated reconstruction surgery and lost her hair.

To pay back the care she received through her illness, Kelly decided to raise money for Breast Cancer Care.

Kelly Wright and husband Simon
Kelly Wright and husband Simon

It was while she was training for the Brighton Marathon in 2016 she was struck down with pain in her hips.

Kelly returned to her consultant and was told the devastating news that the disease had spread to her bones and was probably not curable.

Kelly, who lives with husband, Simon, 47, in Sheraton Court, Walderslade Woods, has undergone a range of medication, none of which have diminished the cancer.

She is now looking to raise £10,000 to pay for treatment being trialled at the Care Oncology Clinic in Harley Street, London. It is not available on the NHS.

On her gofundme page, Kelly said: “Since diagnosis, I’ve been looking into anything that might help me. Adding the word ‘cancer’ is like adding ‘wedding’ to anything, it becomes very expensive.

“I’d like to take the leap and add these extras into the mix while I’m still well. This gives me the best chance at achieving success. I’m already eating much more healthily and making sure I exercise regularly, as well as reducing stress and anxiety in my life.

Loving mum Kelly Wright with Macey and Drew at seaside
Loving mum Kelly Wright with Macey and Drew at seaside

“I have a family who keep me going. If I just curled up in a ball in the corner I would die.

“At the same time as experimenting with new treatments, I’d like to be able to offer my children the opportunities they would always have had without my cancer diagnosis.”

Kelly’s close circle of friends have rallied to support her mammoth fundraising campaign by organising a number of charity functions.

The biggest is the The Boobie Ball at Priestfield Stadium, Gillingham, on Saturday, April 13, which features a finale by Simon Webbe from boy band Blue.

An Easter children’s disco is being held at the Party Pod in Maidstone between 1pm and 3pm on Sunday, April 7.

Sing for Cancer karaoke sessions will take place at the City Wall Wine Bar in Rochester High Street, 8pm-2am on Thursday, March 14, April 18, May 16 and June 20.

Owner Sanjay Raval is hosting the event alongside the Design Shack in Strood, which has helped out with printing costs of flyers and posters.

Danielle Kemal, Gemma Wadhams and Amelia Phelps have been co-ordinating the programme.

Kelly said: “I’m just blown away by all the support I have received. It has helped me stay positive.”

You can donate, and find out more, at wearewithkelly.com

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