THE parents of a four-year-old girl suffering from a rare life-threatening disease are planning a party to celebrate the end of a chemotherapy course – and to raise cash for charity.

Casey Hardman, who has been diagnosed with Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis (LCH) has been undergoing treatment for a lesion to her skull.

Parents Phil and Jessica Hardman of Don Crescent, Great Lumley, County Durham, said: “We want to celebrate the completion of chemotherapy and raise cash for the charity Rays of Sunshine who have granted Casey’s wish to go with the family to Disneyland in Florida.

“When Casey was first diagnosed two years ago it was an awful shock. We were in denial at the time and didn’t have a clue what it meant.”

The cancer-like disease can cause bone lesions, skin rashes and organ damage.

Mrs Hardman said her daughter had first developed a lesion on her pelvis, which was removed through surgery.

She said: “We thought it had cleared, but then it came back five months later and affected her skull.

“She has had 18 months of chemotherapy at the Royal Victoria Infirmary, in Newcastle.

“Casey has had a hard time. She lost her hair and her appetite, but is doing much better now.

“We are not out of the woods yet and know that it can always return.”

Rays of Sunshine will be sending Casey along with her brothers Jack, six, and Chris, 16, and parents to Florida.

The family have been helped by friend Stevi Bage, 24, to stage the party at the Great Lumley Community Centre from 3pm to 6pm, on Saturday, September 27.

There will be a disco, sweet table, tombola, refreshments and a bar. Admission is free with all proceeds to the named charity.

For more information contact 07934 848124.