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Mum of inspirational youngster Reece Puddington abandons Reece's Retreat fundraising after abusive comments aimed at her

00:00, 05 July 2014

updated: 11:14, 05 July 2014

A grieving mum has abandoned efforts to buy a beach hut for ill children to help her son’s nursery after she received abuse over fundraising.

Kay Puddington of Freemans Close, Seasalter, says she was blasted after asking for £30,000 for a hut along West Beach as a lasting legacy for her son Reece.

The 11-year-old died in May six years after he was diagnosed with children’s cancer neuroblastoma gaining a worldwide support through his Facebook blog.

Reece died in May six years after being diagnosed with cancer
Reece died in May six years after being diagnosed with cancer

Reece's Retreat was set up weeks before his death but has now been cancelled with Kay opting to donate the money towards his nursery Abbot House.

A statement on Facebook reads: "After a lot of careful thought I have decided to stop fundraising for Reece's Retreat and will allocate all the funds donated so far to a local project that is so fitting and will now become Reece's legacy.

"As of the 1st of August, this page will close and we will concentrate on Reece's other page The Reece Puddington Appeal - Neuroblastoma Stage 4 Cancer.

"Many thanks to each and every one of you that took the time to support this page!"

Hundreds lined the street during Reece's funeral
Hundreds lined the street during Reece's funeral

Kay says it was “tough” to axe Reece’s Retreat but admitted she had grown tired after six years of fundraising which has seen her receive abuse.

Comments posted on Facebook questioned who the money was benefiting and slammed the amount being asked for being too excessive.

Kay says she has received abuse over fundraising
Kay says she has received abuse over fundraising

Kay said: “He loved going to Abbott House and he was an outdoors and active lad, he would have been the first one to try it out so it is fitting for Reece.

“It was a tough decision.

“I started the beach hut fundraising due to demand from his bucket list which dictated to us that we had to come up with something else.

“At the time it was so fitting and true but unfortunately some of the money was diverted elsewhere so I had to start from scratch.

“I’ve been fundraising for six years and I’m tired. I do get abuse and I just wanted to make a difference.

“There were comments questioning where the money was going with people also saying why was it so much for just sticks on concrete.

“It goes over my head but I don’t need it.”

To view Reece's fundraising page click here

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