Show of support for young Perth dance fan Lily

More than £12,000 raised so far to help schoolgirl as she battles illness

Friends of Perth schoolgirl Lily Douglas have set up a fundraising campaign as the young dancer faces a battle against cancer after being admitted to hospital last week.

Lily was diagnosed with Ewing’s sarcoma aged nine and has become an inspiration to many in her continued fight against the disease.

Family friend Erin McNicol set up the fundraiser for Lily and mum Jane, which has now raised more than £12,000 after Lily was taken to hospital on August 2.

The fundraiser comes as the Light Up for Lily campaign, created to welcome Lily home from hospital, continues to grow.

Pete Chan, another close family friend, told The Courier that the young dancer, her mum Jane and her whole support network were still continuing the fight as he asked people to donate to the fundraising campaign.

Pete said: “It was initially planned to help towards costs for Lily’s planned treatment in London.

“However, things took a turn on Sunday past, with Lily being rushed to Ninewells Hospital in Dundee.

“Lily is now facing her hardest battle ever with the cancer, and the initiative is now concerned in raising funds to keep Lily smiling and for Jane to have something in place for what will have to be dealt with in the future.

“Make no mistake, Lily is in a very serious predicament, where the experts say the odds are most definitely against her.

“However, there is so much fight and a zest for life in the wee warrior.

“Lily’s not, Jane’s not and we as a community are not ready to give up the this fight yet.”

On Saturday, volunteers for the Light Up for Lily campaign met with organiser Irene McDonald to put out flyers supporting the campaign around North Muirton and across Perth.

The campaigners were joined by dance school friends of Lily’s to help spread the word to the community.

Supporters and family members of the 12-year-old dancer want people from across her home town and further afield to put up bright window displays, banners, balloons and even Christmas decorations.

Irene said: “This is just to let Lily know that she is in everyone’s thoughts and that she is very well loved.

“She’s in the minds of everyone across Perthshire and the globe.”

To support the fundraiser for Lily, visit gofundme.com/f/funds-for-lily-douglas

Pictures: Kim Cessford. Some of the community campaigners who were drumming up support, with, front, some of Lily’s dance school friends, from left, Alyx Webster, 13, Lucia Walker, 4, and Ellie Lamb, 9.

Lily Douglas has Ewing’s sarcoma.