‘Josie loved to help others’ fundraiser in memory of sister
The sister of a teenage sibling who tragically lost her life to a rare form of cancer is raising money to purchase Christmas presents for children at Newcastle RVI’s Children’s Cancer Ward.
Josie King was diagnosed with Ewing sarcoma – a type of bone cancer - when she was 13-years-old. After initially believing she was clear, the cancer sadly returned and Josie, who loved boxing and caring foranimals,passedawayonJuly 12, 2018, at the age of just 15.
Now sister Jessica King, 25, has organised an online raffle to raise money in her sister’s memory to support other childrengoingthroughsimilarbattles to those Josie faced.
She said: “Josie found a lump on her leg which turned out to be the size of a bottle of coke.Shehadanoperationbut unfortunately, the cancer returned and spread all over her body.”
Josie, from Thorney Close and a former Sandhill View Academypupil,receivedmuch of her treatment at the RVI includingduringthedaysleading up to Christmas.
Jessica said: “One year Josie developed a temperature before Christmas. She was admitted to hospital but was fortunately allowed to go home the day before.”
However, seeing the care Josie received and witnessing firsthand the challenges children faced – many of whom had to remain in hospital over the festive period – Jessica felt compelled to do something to
help make Christmas more enjoyable for children on the Cancer Ward.
She added: “I remember what we went through and saw what other families were dealing with over Christmas.
It’s hard when you experience it firsthand. They’re just children and shouldn’t have to go through this.
"Ifprovidingthesepresents can put a smile on children’s faces and allow them to forget, even if just for a minute, what they are going through, then it will have been all worthwhile.”
Toraisethetargetof£1,500, Jessica and Josie’s friend, Ellie Lynn, 18, used social media to advertise their fundraiser to local businesses to obtain donated prizes to raffle off.
They were inundated with offers of support including a £200 beauty package from GoldilooksinPennywell,afree MOTfromHoughtonMOTcentre, a car valet from CW Auto CleanandfreemealsfromBellissimo Pizza.
Houghton Boxing Gym also donated £100.
Toraiseanadditional£500, Jessica has challenged herself to do 100 squats every day in November and has set up a JustGiving page for donations.
She said: “We’ve had a brilliant response from local businesses. We've already raised £500 and we still have 20 more donations to raffle.”
Any additional money will beusedtobuypresentsforchildrensufferingfromcancerbut may not be in the RVI over the festive period.
Jessica added: “The plan is toalsodeliverpresentstofamilies’ homes. Josie would have lovedthisinitiative.Christmas was one of her favourite times ofyear.Shelovedtohelpothers and make people smile.
"The RVI’s Chidren’s Cancer Ward is such a deserving cause. They even have a penthousefulloftoysforchildrento escape their worries. The way they treat families is amazing and the nurses really feel like they’re one of your family.”
Any business which would like to donate prizes should email Jessleighkingx@outlook.com