A Whittlesey butcher’s will be invaded by the belles of St Trinian’s on Saturday as they stage a fundraising effort in aid of a young boy battling cancer.
Staff at D B Freemans and Daughters in Causeway are dressing up in the uniform of the infamous fictional school and doing other ‘crazy’ things to raise cash for two-year-old Taylor Kemp and his family.
The toddler has recently undergone surgery to have his right eye removed after being diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer.
The heartbreaking news came after Taylor was taken ill at playschool three weeks ago. He became lethargic and was bumping into things. He was taken to hospital where his parents Leanne and Shaun Kemp were given the devastating diagnosis.
Further tests this week have shown the type of cancer Taylor has has not only spread to his other eye and possibly into bones, but is also re-occurring.
The family, from Dogsthorpe, also has two other young children Kyle and Ellie and run a fruit and vegetable shop in Fletton.
However, they are closing the business this weekend as they are unable to cope with running the shop and deal with Taylor’s health problems and they could even find themselves having to sell their home.
Tanya Parsons, who runs D B Freemans with her dad David Freeman, said: “Taylor’s family are formerly from Whittlesey and have been regular customers for over eight years. We have known Taylor and his brother and sister since they were born.
“It is heartbreaking what they are going through and we just wanted to do something to give them a good Christmas. They have so much to deal with at the moment and are having to close the business, which is going to make things financially hard for them.
“The people of Whittlesey have been absolutely amazing and have donated some fantastic prizes for our raffle on Saturday. We will be doing lots of silly things to help encourage customers to make donations. We are even getting my 82-year-old dad to dress up as a St Trinian.”
Staff will be promoting Saturday’s big event by dressing in pyjamas on Friday and staging a bucket collection.
Tanya’s daughter Lian Parsons is also fundraising at her hair salon Goldilocks Hair Studio in Ramsey on Saturday to help boost the funds.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here