A MOTHER has spoken of her "hell" since her daughter was diagnosed with leukaemia a year ago.

Kayleigh Chapman's daughter Lily May Filmer, aged six, was found to have acute lymphoblastic leukaemia after falling ill with a cough and a cold last May.

Lily May, from Drakes Broughton, is now set for another 17 months of chemotherapy as she battles the disease, although doctors have said that her condition has improved.

But happiness is on the horizon as the community is rallying round to help fund a dream trip to Disneyland Paris.

Mrs Chapman said: "It has been absolute hell. But she has been so strong and she does not even know it.

"She has been so brave, much more than an adult would be in this situation I think.

"I want to raise awareness of childhood cancer, it is important to know the signs. Doctors always say how rare it is, but we are living with it. It is not that rare.

"Lily May had never been ill once in her life and then she was diagnosed with the worst condition she could possibly have.

"She is coping with it as well as she could be.

"Doctors have said she has improved and she is in remission but with cancer of the blood it is still serious.

"So far in her treatment, the chemo has caused liver abscesses and she now has a blood clot in her chest. A lot for a six year old to handle."

Prior to diagnosis, doctors believed that she had a virus. She returned to her GP after her parents became concerned about a bruise-like rash.

The family were sent to hospital and within two hours they were told Lily May had leukaemia.

Children With Cancer UK has given Lily May the trip of a lifetime, with two free tickets to Disneyland Paris.

However, on receiving the news, Mrs Chapman was unsure how they would pay for travel and other holiday costs.

Jacqui Marler licensee at Pershore Town Football Club has helped to raise the money through a charity race night and is appealing for donations on Facebook, to raise £1,000. Any extra money will go to Children with Cancer.

Mrs Chapman said: "I am so grateful to Jacqui. Whilst everyone else was inside during the blizzard at the start of March, Jacqui put out an appeal on Facebook asking for donations, and loads of people donated.

"I would like to thank everyone who has helped. We have had so much support. We wouldn’t have been able to go on this trip without Jacqui and the sponsors."

During her treatment, Mrs Chapman and her family have received support from other local companies.

Fire and Ice Insulated Panel Solutions, Pershore Building Landscaping and Fencing, The Talbot at Knightwick, Stu Blunsom Tree Care Services, CJW Landscaping, Townscape Building and Construction, K.W Boulton Tree Care Specialists, Mechanical Pipework and Fabrication Limited, RTJ International, Two Rooms Evesham and PH Heating have all helped raise money for Lily May's Disneyland visit. Steve The Barber, Vale Windows, Glenn Deary, Neil Annis, Sam's Mobile Tyres, Pershore Tyres and Costcutters Supermarket have also given money.

The charity race night takes place on Saturday May 5 at Pershore Town Football Club.