Kentish Express Ashford & District
Youngster joins Abbie’s Army after time spent in hospitals Girl, 11, inspires fellow pupils to help raise cash
tcollins@thekmgroup.co.uk A SCHOOLGIRL who has spent time in hospital with serious illnesses is hoping to help fund research into a cancer that strikes children.
Tabitha Antoine has organised a charity fun run to raise money for Abbie’s Army, and their campaign to tackle a rare and untreatable form of cancer called DIPG.
Tabitha has previously suffered from a number of conditions affecting her heart and lungs.
They left the 11-year-old needing treatment at the William Harvey Hospital in Ashford and the Royal Brompton heart and lung hospital in London.
During that time Tabby, as she is known to her friends, helped doctors with their clinical trials and learned the value of medical research.
Once she had recovered and was fit and healthy again, the Year 6 Hamstreet Primary pupil decided she wanted to do something for other ill children.
At 4pm on Friday, June 14, Tabby and a number of her school friends will be running laps of the football field at Pound Lees in Hamstreet.
Her mum Sally Antoine, 46, said: “I am very proud of Tabitha for arranging this run and thinking of others. I really can appreciate just how lucky I am to have two fit and healthy children.
“Every nine days in the UK a family will receive a diagnosis of DIPG for their child. Life expectancy is nine to 12 months and the survival rate is 0%.
“We have had a fantastic response from the children at the school and Tabitha has been out training every day with some of her friends. She’s very ambitious and is determined to do 50 laps of a very large field.
“The children have set their fundraising target at an equally ambitious £1,000. She has raised £80 so far, and we’re hoping your readers will help push her closer to her target.”
To sponsor the youngsters, visit www.justgiving.com/ HamstreetYear6LeaversRun or by texting HAMS66 £5 to 70070