Campaign for Bailey Sarwa has reached new heights

JUST two months ago a campaign in St Albans for a plucky young boy battling an aggressive cancer for the second time had raised just �5,000.

Since then residents, businesses and celebrities have put their collective fundraising weight behind 12-year-old Bailey Sarwa to raise a whopping �52,000 towards his treatment overseas.

They have completed zumbathons, made special candles, held discos, raffled equipment signed by sporting legends and baked hundreds of cakes to support the Year 8 pupil of Marlborough School.

The funds are urgently needed to pay for Bailey’s antibody treatment to fight neuroblastoma, a rare cancer which affects nerve cells.

His many local supporters have been doing their utmost to get Bailey that treatment in either Germany or the United States, after he was denied the care in the UK.

It is the second time Bailey has had to fight the childhood cancer, after being in remission for almost seven years.

His dad, Chris Sarwa, described the amount raised as “amazing”.

He added: “All these people I don’t know, they are all putting their hand in to help and it’s incredible. It’s a massive relief. I want to thank everyone for everything they have done. Bailey is chuffed.”

The boy is recovering after recently undergoing his sixth round of chemotherapy at Great Ormond Street Hospital.

A zumbathon and stalls at Francis Bacon School last weekend raised around �5,000 for the Bailey Sarwa Appeal.

Angela Lumsdon and Helen Kirkby created a fun-packed family friendly event with about 60 children turning up to see TV favourites Peppa Pig and Fireman Sam moving and shaking with them on the dance floor.

Side stalls ensured there was plenty for people to buy and be entertained by between dancing sessions, including cakes, face-painting and Bailey’s hand made candles.

Raffle prizes included an iPad 2 and a champagne flight over St Albans.

Little stars Pre-school and Nursery in St Albans recently held a charity, coffee morning, cake sale and raffle for the Bailey Sarwa Appeal, raising a “magnificent” �401.54.

- A morning of activities for the kids and shopping for the adults is being held at Marlborough School, including an auction at noon, from 10am till 1pm this Saturday, March 17. Activities include music, crafts and games with a “Pocket Money Alley” for the kids.

- Oaklands College wants to recruit local businesses and schools to have a ‘Wear Blue for Bailey’ day next Wednesday, March 21, and pledge �1 per person to the cause.

A spokeswoman for the college said: “The idea came about because a cousin of Bailey’s is studying at Oaklands and as part of their learning they were asked to come up with ways to fundraise for Bailey. That student knew his favourite colour was blue and came up with the idea.”

The college has set up a website where companies can sign up and put how much they have raised, along with goodwill messages. Go to: www.oaklands.ac.uk/blue-for-bailey.aspx

- To donate to the Bailey Sarwa Appeal please go to www.bmycharity.com/BaileySarwaAppeal