Little sisters' cancer walk in memory of dad (28)

Tienna Cooper, eight, and five-year-old sister Ziani, from Lowerhouse, have started raising sponsor money for this year’s Little Hospice Super Heroes walk on Sunday July 3rd, when hundreds of children will walk a three-mile route around Towneley Park, Burnley.

Their dad Tom was just 28 when he died in Pendleside Hospice just before Christmas, after a four-year battle against cancer,

Their parents had to break the devastating news to them last March that his condition was terminal...”the hardest thing we have ever had to do” said their mum Tammy.

In a plea for support on the walk, Tienna wrote: “We are Tienna and Ziani Cooper. I am 8 and my sister is 5.

“Our daddy Tom had cancer for 4 years, he was very poorly but still always smiled and had fun and played games with us and looked after us.

“We looked after him too and gave each other lots of cuddles and kisses. Daddy died two days before Christmas 2015 and we miss him lots. We miss playing games and we miss hugging and kissing him.

“We miss him picking us up from school, bedtime stories and kisses, singing songs in the car, watching his silly dances.

“Our daddy was funny and every single day he said to us I love you lots T and I love you lots Z. Now he can’t say that anymore because he’s with the angels, a bright star in the sky and we miss everything about him.

He was the bestest daddy.

“In July this year me and Ziani are doing a walk in memory of our beautiful daddy. We have done two walks already and raised over 11 thousand pounds so far!

“We hope we can raise lots and lots for Pendleside Hospice who cared for our brave daddy to help other poorly people and we know daddy would be so happy and proud of us.

Please sponsor us

Thank you.

Lots of Love

Tienna and Ziani Cooper xxxxxx”

Mum Tammy said: “They walked in the Little Heroes walk last May and the Winter Wander walk in December. They’ve just started to ask for sponsors for Little Super Heroes and they’ve got £360 worth already.”

She said the girls hoped to get some friends and schoolmates to join them on the walk, and thanked their school, St Peter’s Primary at Simonstone, for helping to support the girls by giving them time off and having special assemblies and prayers.

The sisters have a donation page on www.justgiving.co./tomslittleheroes

Hospice fund-raisers hope to recruit about 400 children for the walk on July 3rd, and are encouraging groups such as nurseries, schools, holiday clubs and after-school clubs, Rainbows, Brownies, Beavers and Cubs to join in.

The aim is to encourage community spirit and promote healthy living and exercise for children, while raising funds for the hospice. More info from: www.pendleside.org.uk/little-hospice-heroes-event