Grace launches appeal to thank charity for support (From The Northern Echo)

Grace launches appeal to thank charity for support

8:00am Friday 17th February 2012 in Durham City News By Mark Tallentire

A GIRL has launched a yearlong fundraising campaign to thank a charity that helped her through 18 months of chemotherapy.

Grace Kemp, eight, was born with neurofibromatosis, an incurable genetic condition affecting the skin and nervous system, which causes tumours to grow around the body.

After developing a brain tumour in May 2008, aged four, Grace, from Ushaw Moor, County Durham, underwent 18 months of intensive treatment, ending in February 2010.

During her recovery, she was sent Disney toys and gifts by the Indee Rose Trust, a children’s charity based on Canvey Island, Essex.

The charity tries to respond to requests from sick children receiving treatment for a brain or spinal tumour with what it calls Treasure Boxes.

Two years on, the Nevilles Cross Primary School pupil has been left visually impaired by the tumour, but otherwise is in relatively good health.

Grace and her mother, Judith, have launched a yearlong fundraising effort in aid of the charity.

Grace said: “They helped me so much, I wanted to help them.”

Mrs Kemp said: “They were absolutely fantastic. They get no funding from the Government and Grace was keen to help.”

The first fundraising event will be a psychic night in Bearpark Club from 7pm on Thursday, March 22. Entry will be £5.

Six friends have signed up for a sponsored parachute jump, a ten-mile sponsored walk will take place in July and there will be a charity night in August, at a venue yet to be decided.

Grace underwent a bone transplant aged two.

To celebrate the end of her chemotherapy, in June 2006 she was taken to see her pop heroes Westlife at Newcastle Arena by limousine.

Her mother said: “She has been so brave. Nothing fazes her.”

To support Grace’s fundraising effort, email judithkemp@ymail.com For more information on The Indee Rose Trust, visit indeerosetrust.org