Peterborough parents determined to give football-loving daughter happy life

'We're determined to give daughter happy life despite cancer'

33 minutes ago Share Save Shariqua Ahmed BBC News, Cambridgeshire Share Save

Supplied Millie's parents Gemma and Gordon - pictured with Millie and their other daughter Jessica, 15 - have started fundraising

A family have launched a fundraising campaign to help pay for a specialist leg and future treatment for their 11-year-old daughter. Millie was a talented footballer but was diagnosed with osteosarcoma - a form of bone cancer - last year. Parents Gordon and Gemma Blair, both Cambridgeshire Police officers from Peterborough, have described the gruelling cycle of chemotherapy and their determination to give her the life she deserves. Millie's left leg had to be amputated above the knee as part of her treatment.

Gordon said it was one of the "darkest moments" and called it "soul-destroying".

Supplied Millie was a keen footballer, but was diagnosed following X-rays as a result of a football-related injury last year

Millie was a talented horse rider and a promising footballer who played for Oundle Town girls and Peterborough United academy. She aspired to play for Chelsea women's team and was generally healthy before her diagnosis, her family said. So far, Millie has had seven operations, blood transfusions, and spent more than 100 nights in hospital. "She was diagnosed on her 11th birthday. A present nobody wanted," Gordon said. He said the family "knew something was wrong" when she took a knock to her left leg playing football last year. "Finding out your kid has cancer is the worst feeling imaginable, your whole world implodes in an instant. "Suddenly, we were thrust into this scary world of unknowns, spending our days in hospitals with tubes and machines and procedures. It's an awful place to be. "It is soul destroying." He said Millie had been "phenomenal" throughout the cancer journey and had helped them stay strong.

Fundraising efforts

The cost of a specialist leg and rehabilitation is more than £130,000, and the family said they had been told there was no rehabilitation centre specifically for children. "She's determined to play for England women's amputee football team and even compete in the Paralympics. We don't mind what she does, we just want her to be happy and to be able to get back to running around with her friends. "To do that, she'll need the right support. "The NHS can provide prosthetics, but many aren't suitable for someone as active as Millie, and it's likely she will need new parts for her leg as she grows – all of which cost a considerable sum."

Supplied Millie is being treated at Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge. Her left leg was amputated above the knee as part of her treatment

On 4 July, Gordon will be joining a team of 30 people on an 88-mile walk (142km) from Peterborough United's ground in London Road, to Stamford Bridge in west London, the home of Chelsea Football Club. Both clubs hold a special place in Millie's heart. The walk, which could take up to three days to complete, has been organised by Gemma's boss, Det Sgt Adam McCluskey. "If anyone can join us at any point it will be a real morale boost," said Gordon. "It will make all the difference. Adam has been amazing in organising it all, I'm just turning up and hoping to get through it. "This isn't about luxuries or experiences, we don't need those and we don't want anyone to pay for them, we just want to give Millie the power to dream again and to give our family some normality."

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