Wyre family's praise for 'brilliant' community and school after daughter's serious diagnosis

Olivia Dempsey, who lives in Hambleton and is aged six, is a popular Year 2 pupil at Hambleton Primary Academy.

Two weeks ago she was diagnosed with DIPG, a tumour on her brain stem which will seriously shorten her life.

It was devastating news for Olivia's parents, college lecturer Mark Dempsey and wife Caroline, a nursing sister at Blackpool Victoria Hospital, who also have a four year old son, Ben.

But their friends, the local community and Olivia's school have been a huge help.

Olivia's uncle, Andrew Marshall, who calls his little niece Liv, said: "It's at times like this that people show how caring they can be and the school has been particularly brilliant.

"My sister Caroline, who is Liv's mum, was planning on taking part in the virtual London Marathon for the charity Children With Cancer, but she couldn't do it because she had just received the bad news and had so much to do.

"Incredibly, all the pupils in Liv's class did the run for her - they each ran a mile and managed to raise a huge amount for the charity.

"It is typical of the way her school has rallied round and we've all appreciated it."

Andrew, 36, who is originally from Poulton but now lives and works in Kendall as a civil engineer, is planning on making memories for the whole family to share while Liv is well enough.

He has set up a GoFundMe campaign to help pay for something special to achieve that, and .the fund has now smashed the original £20,000 target and has so far raised more £21,249 towards a new £30,000 target.

He said: "Since I set up this fund, the response has been staggering.

"In just a couple of weeks it has raised a huge amount and I just want to thank people for that, it shows you how kind they can be."

Mrs Holly Wood, head teacher at Hambleton Primary Academy, said: "When we heard the news that one of our gorgeous girls, Olivia in Year 2, had to spend some time in hospital for lots of investigations, the staff and children immediately wanted to help.

"She has such a positive and smiley outlook on life, no more so when glitter and sparkles are involved!

"So they began writing lots of letters and creating artwork to decorate her room.

"We then heard that her mum, Caroline, would not be able to complete the virtual marathon as she was looking after Liv in hospital, so the children in her class decided to ‘run

the marathon’ for her.

"They all designed and made T-shirts for the event and then ran a mile each, totalling 33 miles which were gifted to Caroline.

"Liv is such a popular and well-loved member of our school that everyone wanted to contribute.

"So, we quickly organised a day for every child in school to run a mile with the proceeds going towards her chosen charity, Children with Cancer UK.

"The video on Facebook has had over 10,000 views and has helped to raise nearly £6,000 for the charity.

"We have been overwhelmed, as we know the family are, with the amazing support from the community and most of all the way in which the children at the school support and care for one another ".

Andrew's fundraising page is at:

https://www.gofundme.com/f/olivias-dream-come-true