ONE of Scottish football’s best-known bosses has thrown her weight behind a fundraising campaign to help an Aberlady toddler’s fight against stage four cancer.
Leeann Dempster is donating memorabilia gathered during her time as chief executive at Scottish top-flight sides Hibernian and Motherwell to an online eBay auction to raise funds for Flora Gentleman.
The two-year-old, who lives in Aberlady with parents Jamie Gentleman and Stephanie Kent, was diagnosed with stage four neuroblastoma in April.
Flora’s campaign on the Solving Kids Cancer fundraising platform has raised nearly £33,000 so far to help pay for pioneering treatment.
Her condition is so rare that little treatment is available on the NHS and her family face the task of having to raise huge sums of money to fight the high-risk disease and prevent recurrence – the diagnosis carries a 40 to 50 per cent chance of long-term survival.
The cancer is in Flora’s stomach, the bones of her skull and in her bone marrow.
The past few months have been enormously difficult for Flora and her family, with the toddler having spent much of the past year attending medical appointments to diagnose her with the devastating disease.
Flora, who also has autism, is nearing the end of her first cycle of chemotherapy and has responded bravely and with early encouraging results.
Flora’s mum Stephanie said: “We are so proud of how she is doing and at just two and a bit years old to be fighting with this strength, she is incredible.
“She is taking some really powerful drugs, which is a worry in itself, but she has been so strong.
“The disease affects around 100 kids each year in the UK and, while treatment has come a long way, the battle isn’t over – even at the end of treatment. The chances of relapse are around 50 per cent, with a survival rate of just one in 10.
“Our fundraising will help pay for treatment but we also want to raise funds for research and to create greater awareness.”
Leeann, who is currently chief executive at Queen’s Park, heard of the family’s situation and became determined to help.
She said: “Football is all about creating wonderful moments and memories to cherish.
“I’ve gathered lots of mementos over the years and I thought this would put them to great use.
“I know how fantastic Hibs and Motherwell supporters are when it comes to helping out and by doing this I hope that those who can help will do so and at the same time gain some unique reminders of great days for both clubs.”
The auction runs for three days, starting on Tuesday evening and concluding tomorrow (Thursday).
To find the auction, type the seller ID ‘leeannsauctionforflora’ into the advanced search bar on eBay.
Items in the auction include:
l Unique items from May 2016, when Hibs beat Rangers to lift the Scottish Cup – these will include a genuine Scottish Cup Final blood shirt, signed by several members of the team; a programme signed by manager Alan Stubbs; and other items signed by match-winner David Gray and other team members.
l A programme from the come-back 2016 Scottish Cup game against Hearts at Tynecastle, signed by Paul Hanlon.
l Motherwell shirts signed by James McFadden, Michael Higdon and Jamie Murphy.
l Unique and significant programmes from the Easter Road tenures of both Alan Stubbs and Neil Lennon.
l Unique memorabilia from the recent away trips of both clubs in Europe.
Flora’s dad Jamie said: “We are so grateful to Leeann for doing this. It is typical of her to offer to help and it is really kind of her to give up so many mementos of her time at these two clubs.
“We are so grateful for all the help and support we have had so far, it has been really humbling and we really appreciate all of it.”
Flora’s campaign and story can be found at her fundraising page: solvingkidscancer.org.uk/Appeal/flora
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