Pop sensations JLS treat Northampton girl fighting life-threatening brain tumour to special performance
Pictures by Linda Dawson
AN EIGHT-YEAR-OLD girl who is fighting a life-threatening brain tumour, has had her dream of meeting pop stars JLS come true, thanks to a children’s charity.
Milly Adkins met the band yesterday at the climax of a two-day trip to London organised by charity, Rays of Sunshine.
Together with her parents, Sam and Alex, and younger brother Max, Milly was treated to a sightseeing tour of the capital in a limousine on Wednesday, before staying overnight, then meeting her boy band heroes at a secret location yesterday.
The band put on an exclusive performance of two of their songs and gave the youngster JLS merchandise to take home.
Afterwards, band member JB Gill tweeted: “Just met the sweetest little girl with Rays of Sunshine. It’s so nice to make people smile.”
Milly’s mum, Alex, said her daughter had “loved every second” of meeting the band, particularly her favourite member, Marvin Humes.
She said: “The boys were so good with her and when they spoke to her it was like they were speaking to their best friend. It was amazing.
“They gave her some lovely JLS things, sang her two songs and did dance routines, as well as signing her outfit, which she had chosen especially to meet them. She loved every second of it.”
Alex described the whole London experience as “amazing”, and thanked everyone involved in making it happen.
She said: “Rays of Sunshine have completely spoiled us and blown our family away with their amazing wish for Amelia. She has loved every second of it.
“They have pulled out all the stops. It has been unforgettable.
“We are so grateful to JLS and Rays of Sunshine for everything they have given Milly. We can’t thank them enough.”
She said the family had been overwhelmed by the level of support they had received since the Chronicle & Echo featured their story earlier this week.
She said: “We have been shell-shocked by the amount of support. It’s been completely overwhelming.
“We can’t thank everybody enough who has donated, offered support, offered advice or wished us well.
“We never thought we’d get a response like this. It’s heart-warming and amazing. Thank you.”
The family’s trip was organised by children’s charity Rays of Sunshine, for which JLS are ambassadors, and band member JB is a patron.
Jane Sharpe, chief executive officer, said the charity had been only too pleased to grant Milly’s wish.
She said: “We are so happy to be able to grant wishes for amazing children like Milly.
“The wish team went the extra mile for this wish, making the past couple of days extra special for her and her family, and meeting JLS was the icing on the cake.
“Today was a good day for Milly, and one I’m sure her and her family will never forget.”
The Chronicle & Echo reported this week how Milly’s family received the devastating news at the end of last month, that a tumour with which she was diagnosed in 2007, at the age of four, had grown and was now life-threatening.
The family, from Daventry, has made a desperate appeal to the public for financial help as they prepare for her to undergo further surgery early next month aimed at shrinking the tumour.
They hope this will provide them with more time together and more options for Milly’s treatment, including a cutting edge radiotherapy treatment called Proton Beam Therapy that would hopefully shrink the tumour even further.
But surgery is risky and could result in significant complications.
Milly’s dad, Sam, is self-employed and, with an uncertain time ahead, the family is desperate to avoid financial problems caused by the loss of his earnings during Milly’s treatment, and to be able to spend quality time with their daughter, as well as finance her developing needs.
Anyone who can help the family financially can call Northampton 585810, email helpingmilly@gmail.com, or visit www.helping-milly.co.uk to donate.
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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