Five year old girl raises over £2,000 for Stars Appeal

She absolutely smashed her original target of £250.

Eliza and her sister Fleur (3) during the 5km walk for Stars Appeal
Author: Jack DeeryPublished 5th Sep 2020
Last updated 5th Sep 2020

After her grandmother was diagnosed with with Acute Myeloid Leukaemia in February and has needed to spend a lot of time there, 5 year-old Eliza decided to do something for the people looking after her.

She decided to take on a 5 kilometre walk, one km for every year she's been alive.

The aim was to raise £250 for the Stars Appeal Pembroke Unit Fund, which supports people undergoing cancer treatment on the ward at Salisbury District Hospital.

After completing her challenge, Eliza has raised £2,411, which will go towards funding things like:

  • Aromatherapy
  • Headwear for patients losing their hair
  • Free refreshments
  • Swimming sessions

Eliza's mum, Charlotte said:

"Since Eliza's Granny was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukaemia in February, the Pembroke Ward has been a second home for our family. Dr Cullis and his team of nurses and doctors have just been exceptional. Their care, dedication and support have been invaluable through such difficult times. When Eliza asked how she could help 'My Susie' (her special name for her granny) and other people going through this terrible illness, I told her how the Stars Appeal helps patients in Salisbury Hospital.

We are so proud of our little girl's ambition to help people navigating their way through cancer. Thank you to everyone at Salisbury District Hospital for their continued care for our mum and Eliza's Granny."

You can still donate to Eliza's cause by visting justgiving.com/fundraising.

Dr Jonathan Cullis, Consultant on the Pembroke Unit and Stars Appeal Ambassador said:

"We are so grateful to Eliza and her family for their efforts on our behalf. The money they have raised for our Stars Appeal Pembroke Unit Fund will directly help local people with cancer and blood diseases."