A 6-YEAR-OLD girl from Ilminster has raised over £1500 from holding a fete for Young Lives vs Cancer, the UK’s leading cancer charity for children and young people, and their families.

During the summer holidays, Lydia decided that she wanted to raise money to help people who were struggling.

She asked her parents if she could raise money for children with cancer.

The initial idea to raise money involved a cake sale but Lydia then set her ideas on something bigger and thanks to the support of local people and friends her vision was realised.

Lydia said: “I would like to thank everyone who came and helped at the fete. We had great fun and I can’t believe how much money was raised. I hope the money helps the children and their families who really need it.

“Cancer turns families’ lives upside down and it’s so important that Young Lives vs Cancer are there to provide all the support that they need. It feels great to be doing my bit to help this amazing charity reach those families.”

Last year, in Somerset, Young Lives vs Cancer helped 120 families to find the strength to face cancer.

They gave out 88 financial grants to the value of £17,640 helping families to cope with the costs of cancer.

The Cancer Costs report from the charity found that families with a child on active treatment spend an extra £600 a month.

Katherine Sawyer from Young Lives vs Cancer fundraising engagement manager for Devon, Somerset & Cornwall said: “When cancer strikes young lives we step in to help families find the strength to face everything cancer throws at them.

“We rely entirely on donations to fund our vital work and so we can’t thank Lydia enough for their fantastic efforts.

“Thanks to Lydia, her helpers, and everyone who donated, we will be able to help even more young people thrive not just survive after their cancer diagnosis.”

For more information about Young Lives vs Cancer’s work, go to www.younglivesvscancer.org.uk