Fun day raises over £1,000 for toddler’s lifesaving cancer treatment

Photo: Eclipse Photography

Bridging Communities and Rochdale Thai Boxing Club held a fun day for Bodie McNulty

A fun day has raised more than £1,000 towards a toddler’s lifesaving cancer treatment.

Bridging Communities and Rochdale Thai Boxing Club decided to hold a fun day on Sunday (6 May) to raise money for two-year-old Bodie McNulty, who was initially diagnosed with a brain tumour shortly when she was just 10 months old. She has since endured surgery and chemotherapy to treat the illness.

https://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/117951/brave-toddler-can-have-lifesaving-cancer-treatment-in-germany

Various activities on the day included wet sponge throwing, leg waxing and face painting, with even the Mayor, Ian Duckworth, getting involved.

Javed Rehman, of Bridging Communities, said: “Myself and Omar from Rochdale Thai Boxing Club were extremely touched by Bodie’s story that Rochdale Online published in April.

“We decided to hold a 'Fun Day' with all proceeds going to baby Bodie. We had the pleasure of the Mayor and Mayoress attend the event, whereby the Mayor participated in the 'Wet Sponge' throwing activity.

“We were pleasantly surprised with the turnout and raised over £1,000.  All proceeds will go the family to assist them in hitting their target to get the life-saving treatment that Bodie needs.” 

After approaching various centres for proton beam therapy, which is unavailable in the UK, a centre in Germany has agreed to treat Bodie. Proton beam therapy avoids targeting healthy brain tissue, unlike photon radiotherapy. 

Her parents, Lauren Thornton and Kevin McNulty, have to pay the full cost of the treatment outright, which has been estimated at €61,400 (approximately £53,000). Their daughter can then start treatment the following week.