The family of a little girl diagnosed with a rare kidney cancer has been overwhelmed by the community’s generosity this Christmas.

Ellesmere Port parents Rachel and Jason Aird received the devastating news that their four-year-old daughter Tillie has Wilms’ tumour on December 3.

Family, friends and strangers have rallied to support the Airds so they can focus on brave Tillie, as well as her older sister Daisy and baby brother Ruben, rather than worry about work commitments.

Tillie with older sister Daisy, baby brother Ruben and parents Rachel and Jason
Tillie with older sister Daisy, baby brother Ruben and parents Rachel and Jason

When Rachael Rawlinson – who went to high school with Rachel – heard the news, she felt compelled to help.

Rachael said she sees firsthand the stress patients and their parents experience through her job as a nurse, so she set up a JustGiving page to support them.

She told the Pioneer: “It is to help them stop worrying about the trivial things and concentrate on Tillie.

“No parent should have to go through this nor have the financial worry along side this.

“Hopefully it will ease the burden on them.”

The fund exceeded its £1,000 target less than two days after it was launched on Sunday night.

“It’s amazing that Ellesmere Port has pulled together like this,” Rachael added.

“I didn’t expect the fund to get so far so fast.”

'Really smiley character'

Woodlands Primary School pupil Tillie, who Rachael says is a ‘really smiley and bouncy character’, has begun a course of chemotherapy at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital.

Mum Rachel owns venue dressing company Events HQ but has had to put work on hold temporarily so she can be with Tillie.

She said: “We are overwhelmed by the generosity and well wishes from family friends and strangers.

“We thank each and everyone of you from the bottom of our hearts and hope everyone has a fantastic Christmas.”

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