News Beat
Brave Bonnie from Consett spends last Christmas in Disneyland
Bonnie-Leigh Spence, six, from Consett, was diagnosed with stage four Rhabdoid Sarcoma shortly after her fifth birthday last December.
The aggressive childhood cancer is so rare it affects only eight children a year in the UK.
And despite major surgery to amputate her left arm above the elbow and gruelling rounds of chemotherapy to shrink tumours, on December 16, her family was given the devastating news it would be Bonnie’s last Christmas.
Her step-mum Caroline Spence said: “We got some bad news with regards to Bonnie‘s latest scan. The tumours have started regrowing and we don’t know how much longer we have with her.”
Following doctor’s advice, the family is now focused on giving Bonnie the best life possible while they still can.
Midwife Caroline said: “Her consultant recommended doing everything that Bonnie wants as soon as possible so we took Bonnie to Disneyland Paris until Christmas Eve and plans for next year are pretty much all on hold.”
In what the family described as a “bittersweet” series of events Bonnie celebrated her sixth birthday with her siblings on December 22 at the theme park, marking what will be her last.
Caroline said: “It’s so bittersweet knowing it’s her last birthday, but she has always said she wanted to visit Disneyland Paris and we are so grateful from the bottom of our hearts that we can use donated money to pay for a once in a lifetime trip for her and her siblings.”
Bonnie’s dad Iain, who works as a HGV driver and NHS midwife Caroline have both put their careers on hold to care for the youngster full time.
Caroline said: “The GoFundMe has been an absolute lifesaver. This money has meant the world to us as we can give Bonnie everything that she wants in the last few months she has left.
“It has also helped with keeping us financially afloat so that we don’t have to worry about work or covering our mortgage whilst dealing with this horrible time.
“We greatly appreciate being able to give not just Bonnie but all her siblings the best Christmas that we can despite the circumstances.”
Over the past year, Bonnie has been able to experience things her family only once ever dreamed of. She attended a Rangers football match, switched on the Christmas tree lights at Durham County Hall, enjoyed days at the beach and spent precious time making memories with her family.
She also received an extra special doll made especially for her which gained international attention. The doll-maker appeared on LA Fox News and images of Bonnie with her doll were shared on the channel.
Despite everything Bonnie continues to inspire those around her and “light up every room she walks in.”
Caroline said: “We want to thank every single person who has donated shared or helped us with raising awareness for Bonnie and her rare disease as well as helping us manage and navigate this horrific time period for us.
“We would love for everyone to continue to help us and spread Bonnie’s journey.”
As Bonnie returns from what was her first and last trip abroad her family say every moment will stay with them forever.
To support Bonnie and her family visit gofundme.com/a-little-bonnie-lass
With the money raised the family are determined to give Bonnie a ‘lifetime of experiences’ in the short time she has left with them.
