Island love for Layla
Community launches fundraiser for brave young fighter
Layla Hall was away from her Magnetic Island home for her fifth birthday, but carried all the hopes of Maggie with her.
Diagnosed with leukaemia at 15 months, she finally got to ring the ‘cancer free’ bell just over 12 months ago.
But in February, doctors found a new tumour and she was flown to Brisbane immediately to restart chemotherapy. She remains there with her parents Darren and Devon, and brother Jack.
Back home, the Magnetic Island community has rallied behind the family with the ‘Luv 4 Layla’ fundraiser, a giant raffle backed by 70+ local businesses.
Horseshoe Bay Brigade e Secretary Julie Carmody, , speaking on behalf of the e fundraiser, said she first met t Darren Hall and little Layla a on the back of a bike.
Mr Hall was riding past the firefighting brigade, and stopped to help them dig a trench. Since then, he’s been n an indispensable part of their r crew, Ms Carmody said.
Mrs Carmody said in a week they “achieved $12,000 of donated prizes and sponsorships from both the island and Townsville.”
A local restaurant, Island Burger, has even teamed up with the Horseshoe Bay Fire Brigade to create the Luv4layla Burger donating $5 from every purchase to fundraiser over the month of April.
On Wednesday evening, April 6, the island came together for Magnetic Island’s Post Office Easter Community Fair where raffle tickets were sold for the Luv 4 Layla fundraiser, with the total prize pool valued at $12,000.
With over 78 businesses donating, Mrs Carmody said the 2,600 person community on the island has been generous at looking after one of their own.
“When push comes to shove, people care,” Mrs Carmody said.
“And Layla is just the cutest little thing, with that red hair. She has touched everybody’s hearts.”
She said the Hall family has always been “very gentle and giving and always there to lend a hand”.
Layla is still undergoing the first rounds of her treatment at the Children’s Hospital and is reportedly in good spirits.
The family have moved into the Ronald Mcdonald House and Layla’s 7-year-old brother Jack has been attending school at the Children’s Hospital. He is soon to commence school in north Brisbane, near their accommodation.
Friends, family and locals are “sending love and hugs from the island community.” “Her fight is our fight.”
The raffle will be drawn on Mother’s Day, May 14.