Family fun day for six-year-old Wythenshawe girl who has battled two cancers

Elizabeth Grundy, 6, from Wythenshawe is believed to be only one of four children ever worldwide to have been diagnosed both neuroblastoma and acute lymphoblastic (ALL) leukaemia.

The brave youngster was diagnosed with stage four neuroblastoma at just ten days old, and underwent chemotherapy, radiation therapy, stem cell harvesting, seven operations and countless transfusions before she was 18 months old.

She also endured meningitis and sepsis and was left deaf in both ears.

Then she and her family, Mum Chelsea Carter, 38, and four elder siblings were dealt a further blow in May 2022 when she developed a limp and was diagnosed with leukaemia.

Now a wheelchair-user and largely tube-fed, she is in the maintenance phase of the illness and her family hope she will be given the all-clear at the end of this year.

However, with neuroblastoma having an 80% chance of relapse and ALL around a 10 to 15% chance, her family are raising funds to allow Elizabeth to take part in a trial which could help prevent this.

Mum Chelsea said: ‘Initially we thought we needed to raise £127,000 for treatment in America. It’s now possible that there will be a UK trial, though it’s not definite and even if it happens, there will still be costs involved.’

‘Elizabeth has a lot to deal with but she’s also a superhero who loves swimming, drawing and being outside, and we want to give her the best chance possible.’

Her family and friends are holding a family fun day on August 19 at Benchill Community Centre from 12 noon to 4pm to help raise funds for treatment and therapy for Elizabeth. There will be fairground rounds, a DJ, food and drink stalls, a makers’ market, a raffle and tombola with prizes including an England football shirt signed by Phil Foden. Entry is free and all are welcome.

Elizabeth’s family is being supported by children’s charity Tree of Hope which helps families fundraise for children like Elizabeth with healthcare needs and provides charity status to benefit from gift aid, corporate support while also providing donor reassurance.

Tree of Hope CEO Gill Gibb said: ‘We are delighted to be supporting the Carter family with their fundraising and hope everyone has a fun day out!’

To donate to Elizabeth’s fund, visit https://www.treeofhope.org.uk/elizabeth-grundy/