The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
The family of cancer sufferer Kieran Taylor have expressed their heartfelt thanks to the community after a £10,000 appeal target was reached this week.(May 11)
It means seven-year-old Kieran’s parents Steve and Karen and sister Caitlin (9) will all be able to support him during treatment in America, expected to last two months.
The Deeping St Nicholas family fly out on Sunday, May 28 for Kieran’s NHS-sponsored proton beam therapy on cells left behind after removal of a brain tumour. The treatment – not currently available in the UK – is needed to save the lad’s eyesight.
There was further good news from his latest check-up at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge on Tuesday (May 9).
Mum Karen said: “They’re really pleased with his progress and amazed how well he’s done after his last operation.
“If all goes well, fingers crossed he could be well enough to return to school – part-time at least – in September.”
Chosen joint managers Mary Cooper (left) and Iris Boland (right) present £1,500 to Kieran Taylor’s mum Karen.
The family’s appeal for financial help passed its target this week thanks to a fashion show at Kieran’s school, St John The Baptist Primary in Spalding, on Tuesday which raised £500, plus donations by Holbeach charity shop Chosen (£1,500), Spalding Cycling Club (£200) and his former day nursery, Puddleducks (£165).
Spalding and District Round Table had earlier chipped in £2,500 and Spalding Lions £500. Donations via the Spalding Guardian totalled about £1,300 and raffling off a cake made by St John’s parent Rachel Smith brought in £420. The school organised a giving tree which made £2,430, Karen’s table top sale at Spalding Grammar School raised £540 and Baytree Garden Centre chipped in £150 from its reindeer fund.
On the target being reached, Karen said: “It’s brilliant news. Finally we can actually concentrate on what we have got to do with Kieran rather than worry about finances while we’re away.
“Thank you to everybody.”
Chosen treasurer and joint manager Iris Boland summed up the feelings of many well-wishers when she said: “We wish the whole family a good trip and hope everything goes well for Kieran.”
