Thomas Cook collapse: Mum with cancer's crowd-funded holiday to Disneyland Paris cancelled
13:14, 23 September 2019
updated: 19:50, 23 September 2019
A 24-year-old mum, who has stage four cancer, will not be able to surprise her daughter with a trip to Disneyland Paris as she booked with Thomas Cook.
Charlotte Cooper, who lives in Wayfield, was due to take her five-year-old Delilah away on holiday of a lifetime.
Members of Facebook group Medway Together crowd-funded £1,000 for the pair to take the Eurostar and stay in the theme park.
However, as Charlotte booked through Thomas Cook, which is now in liquidation, she has no idea whether her dream holiday will be a reality.
Charlotte has stage four skin cancer, her condition is getting worse and she needs to use a wheelchair as she cannot walk or stand for long periods of time.
Her mum Elizabeth Farrell said: "Charlotte's uncle Tom Gardner set up the JustGiving page and posted it on his Facebook group Medway Together.
"We got a lot of support from family and friends but there were also people in the community who got involved.
"They managed to raise more than £1,000, we were so grateful, but this makes it so much worse.
"Charlotte has never been abroad before so we don't know the first thing about how to fix this.
"She decided to book through Thomas Cook because they are so renowned, and now we don't know whether we'll be able to go or not.
"We went into the store to book.
"Charlotte has never been abroad before so we don't know the first thing about how to fix this..." - Elizabeth Farrell
"They have to get the Eurostar because Charlotte is now too sick to fly.
"Charlotte contacted Eurostar and they said it would take them a few days to find out.
"Disneyland said the same thing.
"She's spent lots on extra bookings, such as wheelchair access and princess parties for Delilah, to make sure the holiday is as special as possible.
"Charlotte has been really unlucky as she is so young, the melanoma is genetic."
The pair and their aunt were supposed to travel from November 3 and return on November 6.
It is Charlotte's 25th birthday on November 2.
Mr Gardner has set up a new Just Giving page, click here to help.
Miss Farrell said: "The one saving grace is that this holiday was supposed to be a surprise for Delilah.
"She has no idea and Charlotte was going to do a big reveal on the train."
Thomas Cook has been contacted for a comment.
Eurostar is in contact with the Association of British Travel Agents to try to help Charlotte and other impacted customers.
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