A COURAGEOUS young girl battling cancer has set her heart on raising £10,000 to help others in her situation.
Seren Arthurs was diagnosed with lymphoblastic lymphoma last year and is currently seven months into her three and a half years of chemotherapy, but is bidding to raise £1,000 for every year she has been alive, for Cancer Research UK.
The ten-year-old pupil at St Egwin’s Middle School in Evesham has to undergo the treatment once a week at Birmingham Children’s Hospital.
Seren’s family and friends have rallied around the selfless youngster and have already made almost £8,000 by doing fund-raising activities, including a Ceilidh last Saturday (June 7) which raised more than £1,350.
Tamsin Arthurs, Seren’s mum, said: “We started and plugged away to try and get a bit of sponsorship and it went up past £1,000, which was all we were planning on raising.
“We then got the total up to £2,000 and then £2,500 and now it’s been set up at £10,000.
“She’s been absolutely amazing, we’ve all been absolutely rolled over, she has been to school today even though a few days ago she was in hospital having blood transfusion. She’s been unstoppable.”
Another fund-raising event is set to take place at Innovations Hair Studio in Waterside this Sunday (June 15), as six women and girls, including Seren’s 12-year-old sister Mollie, are taking part in ‘The Great Mop Chop’, a charity hair cut. Residents are being encouraged to come along to support Seren’s fund-raising efforts.
All the hair will be donated to The Little Princess Trust, who supplied Seren with a wig when she was going through her chemotherapy.
“They’ve made a real difference,” Tamsin said. “It made such a difference to Seren and knowing how it made her feel and knowing they will be able to the same for another is great.”
Tina Young, owner of the salon, added: “I’ve known Seren since she was four as she was in a class with my son. It’s great to be helping and it’s for two very worthwhile causes, and we get to re-style these lovely ladies.”
Tamsin and husband Jason, Seren’s dad, were already set to take part in the Relay for Life before they found out about their daughter’s condition, but have since vowed to continue with the challenge.
“You have no idea how much it effects you, everything stops, everything goes on pause and it all revolves around the treatment. It does turn your life upside down,” Tamsin added.
“We have a fantastic friendship group in Evesham and they have all absolutely rallied around and helped us out.”
To help Seren reach her £10,000 target, readers can visit http://relay.cancerresearchuk.org/goto/serensallstars online.
