Caudwell Children's Charity

By Gianfranco Geraci: A toddler with a life-threatening brain tumour desperately needs to travel to America to receive urgent treatment.

Family and friends of two-year-old Ruby Owen have launched a campaign to raise £250,000 to pay for pioneering treatment in the US.

A Valentine’s charity disco was held at Kidsgrove Town Hall on Saturday in support of the youngster.

Donna Downs who co-hosted the event told Staffslive: “it went really well, about 200 people turned up, they’re a very popular family and have lots of supportive friends.”

“We managed to raise £3,527 for little Ruby, and we’re still receiving donations from the site we set up, obviously we still need to raise a lot more to reach the target.”

The Sentinel reported in July last year that Ruby was receiving chemotherapy at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, in Liverpool. Surgeons managed to remove 95% of the tumour but now she needs to travel to the States to remove the rest.

Ruby’s Parents, Martin and Rachel Owen, from Kidsgrove, have considered selling all their possessions to pay for the proton therapy treatment that will save their daughter’s life.

Dad Martin, 38 said: “I would sell my house but that still wouldn’t get us the money we need for the treatment and we would be left homeless.”

He added: “Ruby has got so much to give, if this is the only option left, then we will do anything to find the money we need to send her to America.”

The national children’s charity Caudwell Children has offered to help co-ordinate some of the fundraising while Martin and Rachel care for Ruby and her sister, Charlotte, 10.

Trudi Beswick, chief executive of Caudwell Children, said: “We are currently reviewing the Owen’s application to see if we can make a donation towards the appeal, but that can take a little bit of time so we are helping in any way we can in the meantime.

“The best way to help is to take the numerous calls and emails from well wishers who want to support this desperate appeal.”

Anyone wishing to donate to Ruby’s Appeal can do so by visiting www.justgiving.com/rubyowen. Alternatively post a cheque, payable to Caudwell Children, to Ruby’s Appeal c/o Caudwell Children, Minton Hollins Building, Shelton Old Road, Stoke-on-Trent ST4 7RY.