Helping to make Alison's Disney wish come true

Brave Alison Hayden, 11, was diagnosed with bone cancer in June 2015 and had to have her left leg amputated after doctors discovered a tumour.

She is currently undergoing radiotherapy treatment at Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital after the disease spread to her lungs and surgery to remove it proved unsuccessful.

Now her schoolmates at Hawes Side Academy in Marton, along with kind-hearted staff at the Morrisons superstore at Squire’s Gate, have rallied together to make her dreams come true – raising money to fund a fun-filled holiday to Disneyland in Tokyo, Japan.

Children and teachers at the academy brought in more than £500 at a charity cake sale for parents on Wednesday, while Morrisons staff put their fitness to the test in a sponsored stationary bike ride at the store on Tuesday, raising £655.

The money will be added to cash donated to Alison’s online fund-raiser, which has already brought in £1,100 from kind-hearted people across the Fylde coast.

Alison’s mum Amanda, 33, said: “I only found out they were raising money for us a few days ago. I felt absolutely astounded and amazed at the effort everyone is putting in for Alison. There aren’t enough thank yous I could say to everyone.

“Alison would like to go to Japan but it will all depend on her condition and whether she’s well enough to fly. She would love to see Disneyland and the biggest Pokemon shop in the world.

“The money will go towards anything she wants. Whether she wants to go to a concert or go to London to meet the Queen she can have it!

“Alison has been having radiotherapy on her back and shoulder because of the pain. She has been on oxygen and she has been quite poorly, but she’s improving daily. We’re hoping in the next few days to get her home.

“Her whole life she’s always been bubbly and smiley and these last 12 months she’s remained that way. She was very upset about the diagnosis but we explained to her that she would have treatment and we would take things one day at a time and she has remained positive throughout.”

Jane Davidson, medical co-ordinator at Hawes Side Academy, said: “Alison has come into school at every opportunity she’s had. She’s always got a smile on her face regardless of what challenges she has to face.

“She’s inspirational and a real star. Her personality just shines.”

The academy’s support of Alison is set to continue this September, as staff plan to take on the Tough Mudder 12-mile obstacle course to raise even more cash for her cause.

Amanda said: “The school has been fantastic. They have even been up to visit while she’s been in hospital, and whenever she has gone into school they have made special arrangements for her to make sure she’s not left out. She’s even has a Skype call with her class last week.”

Alison said: “I would like to say thank you to everyone.

“I would like to see Disneyland. I’m a big Disney fan – my favourite film is Mulan.

“My school have been letting me join in with the work and letting me eat lunch with me friends which is something I don’t often get to do because I don’t get to visit them often.

“I have been feeling all right and I’m getting better.”

She is now looking forward to going home and spending more time with her mum, dad Richard and 14-year-old sister Rebecca.

Sam Smith, community champion at Morrisons in Squire’s Gate, Blackpool, said: “

“Life is so precious and you never know what’s going to happen. We want to give her some really special memories.”