Children With Cancer Fund (Polegate) The Bon Bon, 5 Western Avenue Polegate, East Sussex, BN26 6EP Tel: 01323 485314 Email: info@childrenwithcancerfund.co.uk Registered Charity No.1110644

We knew Alicia wanted to be a mermaid and Kirsty had seen a mermaid show advertised so she arranged tickets for the show and for Alicia to meet the cast afterwards. Of course we had to get Alicia a mermaid costume so she looked the part, and from the e-mail we received (below) it worked.

"My daughter is Alicia, she is five and has AML Leaukemia, her biggest wish is to be a Mermaid. We would like to say a big thank you to CWCF for Alicia’s trip to see ’The Little Mermaid Show’ in Sutton.

The show was wonderful and sitting on the stage with the cast, she felt like a little star herself. This was Alicia’s first trip out after five months of chemo and meant so much to our family,

Thank you".

Since Alicia went to see the show she has also started some home tuition, and to help her keep contact with school and work we have bought her a much needed laptop as well.

More recently we had a call from a nurse to say that Alicia had gone in to weeks of isolation and her Nintendo DS had broken. As we had also received a call the very same day from Willingdon School, to say that they had raised some money for us, we purchased a package of a DS and games and sent it off before the family got cabin fever, safe in the knowledge that the school’s money would cover the cost of this wish. Thanks again to all involved.

Sadly Alicia lost her fight against cancer in February 2010


A LOVING mother tucked her young daughter up in bed and read to her from her favourite book as she peacefully passed away.

Alicia Wootton, aged just seven, died at home surrounded by her family on Valentine’s Day after a brave two-year battle with leukaemia. Since the age of five little Alicia had spent most of her time in either the Royal Marsden Hospital in Surrey or the Conquest Hospital, but her final moments were spent in the bosom of her family home in Manor Road, surrounded by her parents Nicola and Steven, and her younger brother Jake.

Her mum paid tribute to the little girl she described as ’a tough cookie’. "She was determined and a little bit stubborn," said Mrs Wootton. "I think that is what helped her fight it. But at heart she was a girly girl. She loved all things pink and animals and her dream was to become a vet."

Alicia’s struggle featured in the pages of the Observer, with family and friends helping to raise money for her through a string of charity events. These fundraisers included her granddad Colin Murphy shaving his hair off in front of regulars at the Marina Fountain pub and local motorcycle club, the Norsemen MCC, riding 70 miles round nearby villages. That money was originally earmarked to help pay for any specialist equipment or help Alicia may have needed, but as her mum explained, the priority soon shifted.

"When we found out she was terminal we decided to try and make what time she had left as enjoyable as it could be. We took her to Lapland just before Christmas and she loved meeting Father Christmas and his reindeer. And we went on a trip to Euro Disney, which she loved. She got to have a tea party with Snow White and Belle from Beauty and the Beast. It was like every little girl’s dream."

Another day out saw her chauffeured by pink limousine to McDonalds at Glyne Gap with a party of friends from Blacklands School. Any relief from her treatment was gratefully received. Over the last two years Alicia underwent eight blocks of chemotherapy, a course of radiotherapy and a bone marrow transplant.

"Her younger brother was a perfect match," said Mrs Wootton. "We were all very hopeful but sadly it didn’t work." Despite the disappointment, both her parents were full of praise for the staff at both hospitals. Mrs Wootton said: "We want to thank everyone who helped in her treatment and in looking after her when he was in hospital and also to everyone who helped raise money for her. We have really appreciated the support. I honestly do not know how we coped at times."

Alicia’s funeral is being held at Christ Church, known locally as Blacklands, in Laton Road on Wednesday, March 3, at 11.30am. Donations to the Children with Cancer Fund charity are invited in place of flowers, and the family have one final request to help mark the send off.

"Alicia loved all things pink so we are asking everyone who comes to wear something pink," said her mum.


Excerpt courtesy of the Hastings Obeserver February 2010.


Alicia's grandad, Colin, who was one of her main carers and was also with her when she passed away, sent us these pictures of her from her trip to Disneyland:

     

  

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