A children’s author has joined the campaign to raise £220,000 for a two-year-old girl with cancer.

Herts Advertiser: Stacey Turner in costume. Picture: Stacey Turner.Stacey Turner in costume. Picture: Stacey Turner. (Image: Archant)

Stacey Turner dressed up as a princess for a lunch at Hatch with Siobhan Mather, who has neuroblastoma and needs the money for vital treatment in America.

Stacey said: “It was so beautiful to see Siobhan’s gorgeous smile beaming and to hear her infectious giggles.

“One of the characters in my book dresses as a princess, so I decided Siobhan must have her very own princess at her lunch with lots of painting, colouring and drawing. I’m very lucky to be surrounded by such lovely and generous people here in St Albans, as doing this has created awareness and donations in the hope of raising those much needed funds the family desperately need for life-saving vaccine in America.

“Siobhan’s parents are just simply beautiful, I was touched by their openness and felt their warmth, as if we have known each other long before.

Herts Advertiser: Stacey with Siobhan at Hatch. Picture: Stacey Turner.Stacey with Siobhan at Hatch. Picture: Stacey Turner. (Image: Archant)

“I’ve managed to raise awareness in Australia with my friend Ben Ungermann, a runner-up in Australian Masterchef in 2017, resulting in donations from various countries. Creating the #princesscampaign will hopefully generate more awareness and more donations, every little bit helps. This week, I intend to get in touch with all the bloggers and PR people I know to help spread the word about the #princesscampaign.

“Please may I say a massive thank you to Liam at Hatch, Marc at Trinder Hair and Catherine Batour Makeup Beauty Style for helping me make this happen.”

After lunch, Stacey walked through the town in costume and spoke to several mums about Siobhan after their daughters stopped to take photos with her.

Siobhan’s father Anthony said: “It was a bit of normality for her. We don’t generally get an opportunity with all the hospital visits and the treatment that’s going so it’s nice for her to be a two-year-old.”

Herts Advertiser: Stacey on Radio Verulam's Parents Show talking about her campaign. Picture: Stacey Turner.Stacey on Radio Verulam's Parents Show talking about her campaign. Picture: Stacey Turner. (Image: Archant)

To find out more and to donate money to Siobhan’s cause, visit www.justgiving.com/campaigns/charity/thebradleyloweryfoundation/siobhanmather