PARENTS of a little girl fighting cancer have thanked supporters after more than £12,000 was raised in 24 hours to help her.

Donors have been giving anything from £5 to £300 to help Breya Ward, two, who has a rare and aggressive cancerous tumour in her stomach.

In the two days since the fund was set up, more than £20,000 has been raised.

Mum Holly Robinson, of Colchester, said: “Me and Ollie are absolutely speechless regarding all of your kind donations to help supporting our family through the hardest time of our lives.

“Everyone says people are selfish and the world is such a bad place these days..

“Well, this shows me how much love is out there and that maybe social media has its uses.

“I love each and every one of you for helping our beautiful little girl.

“Your kind words and donations mean more than you will ever know.”

Since the diagnosis last month, Breya has been treated at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridgeshire.

Her parents have barely left Breya’s bedside in the past five weeks and have been given a living area at the hospital while she is being treated.

Her dad, Ollie, 32, is a sergeant in the 2nd battalion of the Parachute regiment in Colchester.

Doctors have placed Breya on a two-year clinical trial treatment programme, which experts hope could fight off the aggressive disease.

But any delay in her treatment will mean she is not eligible for the trial. A bout of pneumonia has already pushed back her second round of chemotherapy which was due to start earlier this week.

Holly said she knows pioneering immunotherapy treatment Anti-GD2, which is not freely available in the UK, could be what saves her daughter’s life.

To get it, Breya will have to travel to the USA and is could cost up to £250,000.

Holly said: “This is going to be such a hard few years but I’ve had the most amazing Valentines Day with the people I love most.

“My little girl got out of bed and stood up and I feel all the support she is getting and the positive vibes coming our way are helping to make her totally invincible.

“When she’s ten and she’s back home fighting fit and full of life me and Ollie will sit her down and make her write thank you letters to each and every one of you.

“If you can’t donate just sharing her story will do wonders.

“I can’t quite believe how much we have raised and it just fills me and Ollie with hope and we know we are not alone on this battle.”

To donate to Breya’s fund go to www.gofundme.com/teambreya

  •  The Gazette is supporting the appeal. If you are having a fundraising event and would like publicity, email ryan.jennings@nqe.com.