A FLINTSHIRE toddler is taking tiny steps to help make a big difference to the life of a little girl with cancer from Chester.
Imogen Hughes, who is nearly three, strode out on a sponsored walk to help raise
money to send a gravely ill child to America for cancer treatment.
Anya Bentham, 20 months, is being treated at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in Liverpool for an advanced form of an aggressive cancer called neuroblastoma.
Her parents, Naomi Stanley and Graeme Bentham, have set up an appeal in their daughter’s name as they look to raise the £250,000 needed for pioneering treatment in America that could save their daughter’s life.
Intrepid walker Imogen set off from her home in Bryn Road, Connah’s Quay, and walked all the way to Deeside Leisure Centre and back – about four miles – with her mum, baby sister, nan and auntie, and thanks to generous Deeside folk she raised more than £150 for Anya’s Appeal.
Imogen’s mum, Leah Hughes, attended Connah’s Quay High School with Anya’s mum, who now lives in Christleton, Chester.
Leah said her daughter was determined to finish the four-mile sponsored walk.
“We wanted to do a little to raise some money for the appeal and Imogen said she wanted to help,” she said.
“She walked all the way and thanks to family, friends and people who put loose change in Imogen’s bucket we raised more than £150 which is fantastic. We are really pleased.”
The Anya Bentham Appeal, set up in early December, has already raised nearly £10,000 through supermarket bag packs, sponsored walks and private donations with a number of events planned, including a charity boxing night, in the coming months.
People can support Anya’s appeal by going to www.facebook. com/AnyaBenthamAppeal and donations can be made at www.justgiving.com/appeal4anya