Thousands raised for Wishaw girl, 7, given just months to live

Yesterday we told of Lee Jenkin’s heartache after his little girl Laia was diagnosed with a brain tumour just four days after her birthday.

An MRI scan found the adorable schoolgirl had Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG) – a rare tumour that has an average survival time of nine months from diagnosis.

Despite the devastating news, 43-year-old Lee has tried to remain positive – “to make thing seem normal” for Laia.

A family friend set up a fundraiser to try and make the most of her precious time remaining.

Adorable Laia Jenkins

READ MORE: Wishaw dad’s heartache as seven-year-old ‘baby girl’ given a year to live

Following our story on the Evening Times yesterday, the donation total has risen from £2000 to just over £8000.

“It’s amazing, I honestly can’t believe it,” said Lee.

He added: “I don’t know how to put into words how much I appreciate what people have done for us.

“They have made us hopeful and that has been passed on to Laia – it’s had such a good impact already.

“It’s really got us in a positive mood and we can see that’s having an impact on Laia. We’re all feeling very positive.”

Lee says that when is friend set up the fundraiser, promising to hit the target for Laia’s “bucket list” – including trips to Disney World and riding a pony – he was sceptical they would reach it.

Laia Jenkins with sister Ellie

But now that it’s smashed past £8000, Lee has praised the “unbelievable” support.

He added: “Not only the donations but we’ve had lots of offers from people to do things – like to get Laia to ride a pony and things like that.

“We’ve had a lot of messages of support.

“Away from the fundraiser Laia has had a really good day, she’s been in good spirits and had a great night last night – so that’s great.

“It’s just great that people are talking about it.”

Thousands have been raised for the tragic schoolgirl

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Describing his heartache as knowing his daughter will likely not live to see her next birthday, Lee told the Evening Times: “You just don’t expect it.

“It’s very difficult. I’ve went through anger, panic and hopelessness. Just hopelessness.

“I broke down, it was devastating. But you go into another mode – you need to make her as happy as possible, so you need to make things seem normal.

“She’s only seven-years-old. She’s just my little baby.

“She’s aware that she has a lump in her head, but she thinks she’s going to get better.

“She was looking at old pictures and saying how she wants to go back to school - she wants to be normal again.”

You can view the fundraiser here.