THE mum of a nine-year-old girl who died from cancer is backing an appeal to help other families receive the care they need.

Georgia Kelly, who lived in Daisy Hill with her parents Karen and Phil, was diagnosed with neuroblastoma in 2011.

The plucky youngster faced years of hospital admissions, surgery, chemotherapy, a stem cell transplant, immunotherapy and radiotherapy treatment.

At one point she was enrolled onto a Cancer Research UK funded clinical trial.

The St James Primary School pupil passed away at the end of 2015.

The Bolton News:

Georgia

Karen, 44, is a paediatric nurse and now lives in Adlington with Phil.

She also lost her father Sam to cancer just months before Georgia was diagnosed.

Karen is hoping people will support Cancer Research UK following the opening of its stores, including the Newport Street outlet in Bolton, after the easing of the lockdown.

She said: “I understand all too clearly what a lack of funding could mean for the development of new treatments for individuals impacted by cancer like my dad and Georgia.

“Research gave us more precious time with Georgia, so I hope people will be inspired by the charity’s determination to carry on beating cancer and show their support – they really could save lives.”

The Bolton News:

Georgia

Cancer Research UK's shops typically contribute more than £25m every year to vital research, so there has been a dramatic loss of income to the charity.

Safety measures have been introduced to ensure people can shop, volunteer and donate goods safely.

These include social distancing, hand sanitiser stations, cough guards at till points, face coverings and gloves for shop staff and volunteers, additional cleaning and a 72-hour quarantine period for donated items.

Cancer Research UK north west spokeswoman, Jane Bullock, said: “To save lives tomorrow, we need the public’s support today – so we want people to know we’re making every effort to create a safe shopping experience.

“COVID-19 has hit us hard and after three long months we’re delighted to be able to welcome new and familiar faces back through our doors again, as well as a host of new donations.

“Our shops are full of new and pre-loved items, fashion one-offs and homeware treasures – particularly after lockdown clear-outs.

"As well as being sold at bargain prices, every sale helps to fund our work. But right now, clinical trials are being postponed and we’re having to delay vital research.

“That’s why we’re asking our Bolton customers to do what they can.

"Whether they shop, donate goods or volunteer their time – all are essential to help us keep making breakthroughs for people with cancer.”

Thanks to the generosity of its supporters Cancer Research UK currently funds around 50 per cent of all cancer research in the UK.

However, as a direct result of the coronavirus pandemic, it expects to see its fundraising income decline by up to 30 per cent in the financial year ahead – putting this research at risk.

Jane added: “COVID-19 has slowed us down. But we will never stop.

"With around 41,000 people diagnosed with cancer every year in the North West, we are absolutely determined to continue creating better cancer treatments for the future.

“Every step our scientists take towards beating cancer relies on every pound raised.

"So, with the help of Bolton shoppers we believe that together we will still beat cancer.”

Cancer Research UK was able to spend around £30m in the north west last year on some of the UK’s leading scientific and clinical research.

The Cancer Research UK shop in Bury has also reopened its doors.

For more information visit cruk.org/shops.