Help make terminally ill mum’s Disney dream come true

Sarah Monk, right, from Sough, with daughter Chloe Jackson aged 9 and cousin Kelly Marshall. Sarah has terminal cancer and the family are hoping to raise money for a last dream holiday to Disneyland in Florida. Picture by Paul Heyes

Former Padiham schoolgirl Sarah Monk (36) was diagnosed with breast cancer just eight months ago, but despite undergoing a double mastectomy has now been told by doctors the cancer has spread to her lungs and is incurable.

The shocking news prompted Sarah’s cousin, Kelly Marshall, to set up a fund-raising page to help Sarah take her nine-year-old daughter Chloe to Disneyland in Florida.

Sarah, who lives in Sough, Barnoldswick, said: “I’d always dreamed of taking Chloe to Disneyland but my illness sent the insurance costs rocketing.

“I am so grateful to Kelly and everyone who has donated so far. Chloe suffers from autism and has really struggled with my illness.

“She had to have counselling when I was first diagnosed. Chloe loves Disney and sees the adverts on television. I went to Disneyland as a little girl and so I want to give her that same experience – a holiday to remember.”

Sarah, who grew up in Sabden, was diagnosed with Stage 3 breast cancer eight months ago.

She underwent chemotherapy and radiotherapy at Airedale and Leeds Hospitals, but has now been told the cancer has spread.

Sarah, who attended Padiham Primary School and St Augustine’s RC High, Billington, said her parents Kevin and Wendy Monk, from Sabden, had been a rock.

She said: “My dad has been with me to every treatment. He has been my rock. I want to thank him and everyone who has supported me in these difficult last few months.”

Before her illness, Sarah worked variously as a carer, auxilliary nurse and at Time Computers.

The money she had been raising herself for a holiday has had to go on general costs since her diagnosis.

Cousin Kelly, who lives in Whitegate Close, Padiham, said: “Sarah has always dreamed of taking Chloe on a special holiday.

“We are all devastated at Sarah’s news so I decided to set up this page so they can both enjoy what might be a last holiday together.

“The last few months have been such a massive struggle for Sarah. She’s absolutely over the moon that people from all over are helping to make this a reality.”

Anyone wishing to make a donation can visit www.gofundme.com/988utj5g.

Meanwhile, raffle tickets will be on sale tomorrow at the Barnoldswick Christmas market to help raise money for the family.