Outpouring of love and support to give Olivia, 10, magical Christmas after cancer diagnosis

Olivia Naylor, 10, from Illingworth, underwent a gruelling 17-hour operation to remove a brain tumour, but last week her parents Helen and Graham received the devastating blow that it was cancerous and had progressed to stage three.

It is thought Olivia had been having problems using the left side of her body and had been scheduled for an MRI scan on November 10.

But after her parents became increasingly concerned, she was rushed to hospital at the beginning of November. She is currently being treated at Leeds Children’s Hospital, with her family by her side. Kind-hearted friends and strangers have rallied around the family following their heartbreaking news.

Gemma Bailey, 32, whose daughter Chloe is friends with Olivia, a pupil at Whitehill Community Academy, Illingworth, set up a Go Fund Me page in aid of the 10-year-old.

She says it was her son’s idea, after he emptied his money box to “help buy Olivia something to make her smile”.

“It’s to give her the best Christmas she can possibly have,” Gemma said. “The reaction has been amazing, people who don’t even know her have been donating.”

The money is going to be used to completely decorate Olivia’s bedroom in time for Christmas. Work has already begun, but disaster struck when asbestos was discovered.

Queensbury-based firm Hird Environmental offered to clear it for free and stores across Halifax, including Dunelm, Wickes and B&Q have made donations.

It’s also hoped the money can be used to pay for a trip to Legoland.

Olivia’s school is also doing what it can to help and will donate some of the money from its Children in Need fundraising on Friday to the cause.

Principal Roy Hepplestone said: “Our thoughts and support are with Olivia’s family. She is an absolute delight and a lovely little girl who has lots of friends in school. We just hope she makes a speedy recovery.”

To make a donation to the fund, visit www.gofundme.com/help-olivias-family-be-there.