Rugby dream to come true for fan with terminal cancer
A WOMAN battling terminal cancer says her dreams have come true thanks to family, friends and total strangers from across the world.
Just three days ago Emily Kendrick shared her story of living with terminal ovarian cancer with the Echo.
The 25-year-old, from Ystrad Mynach, was diagnosed last year but has continued to work for the RAF.
She is desperate to tick off a whole series of trips and experiences while she is still fit enough but she needed help.
And now, within days she says her dreams have come true.
The two biggest items on her bucket list were to see Wales take on Ireland in Dublin next February in the Six Nations and to travel to New York.
Since sharing her story, the Welsh Rugby Union has contacted the Echo to offer Emily, and her mum Sonia, a money can’t buy experience.
The pair will be guests at the team’s training camp at The Vale Resort for a farewell lunch the day before the game and will then travel with them to Dublin on their plane.
They will also be given tickets to the game.
Emily’s mum Sonia told her the news on the phone while she was at work at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire.
Watched on by colleagues, Emily broke down in tears as her mum told her about the gift.
Then, within hours, their online fundraising page hit its £5,000 target – meaning their trip to New York can also happen.
Emily and Sonia had planned to take the trip for Sonia’s 50th birthday in 2019, but due to the uncertainty with Emily’s health they needed help raising money to go as soon as possible.
New York will now “definitely happen” once Emily has had the all clear from doctors.
“It’s all been so much bigger than we thought and people are just absolutely fantastic,” said Sonia.
“I have been reading every message and there are some people we know and others we don’t, like other ex-servicepeople or RAF stewardesses and other people just sympathising with Emily and wanting her to have her dream. “It’s just so overwhelming”. Sonia said: “She just can’t believe how nice everybody is. We just wants to say a massive thank you to everyone at the WRU for their help. She’s so overwhelmed and keeps crying; so do I.
“She thinks it’s absolutely fantastic and it’s a real dream come true.
“From the bottom of our hearts, thank you, it’s amazing”.
A WRU spokesman said: “We are delighted to be able to help Emily tick off one of the items from her bucket list and watch Wales take on Ireland in Dublin in February.
“When they heard about Emily and the list the team management wanted to do everything possible to help out and make it a memorable occasion for her.
“The squad and management are looking forward to meeting Emily in February. She will come into camp and have dinner with them before travelling with us to Dublin for the game.”