Collectors raise cash for 'little trooper' Edward Clarke from Guiseley (From Ilkley Gazette)

Collectors raise cash for 'little trooper' Edward Clarke from Guiseley

11:00am Friday 26th October 2012 in News By Annette McIntyre

Well-wishers dug deep to help a children’s cancer charity after reading of the bravery of two-year-old leukaemia sufferer Edward Clarke.

About 40 fundraisers, including Edward’s dad Andrew, donned fancy dress and took to the streets of Yeadon in support of the childhood cancer charity Candlighters.

They thanked the public, many of whom had read about Edward’s battle in the Wharfedale Observer, who gave so generously.

Although the final figures are not yet in, the collection is believed to have raised up to £1,500, with some individual donations as high as £100.

The fundraising walk was undertaken by the Yeadon Veterans football team, where Andrew is a member, along with family and friends.

Organiser, Paul Murray, said: “It went really well. We had an excellent turnout and got a fantastic reception.

“We went into local businesses, pubs and restaurants and everyone was very generous and gave good amounts of money. A lot of people said they had read about it in the paper and were hoping we might go in.”

Paul said two of the fundraisers had their heads shaved to raise money, with one sponsored to the tune of £100 by his mum.

Edward’s dad and uncle, Samuel Male, have already raised more than £1,000 by having their heads shaved in an effort to make Edward’s hair loss from chemotherapy easier to deal with.

The youngster had just celebrated his second birthday in August when he was diagnosed with leukaemia. Despite having to undergo weeks of intensive treatment, he does not complain.

Andrew and Edward’s mum, Sarah, have been given help and support by Candlighters, a charity they described as “amazing”.

Paul said: “Edward is a beautiful little boy and a little trooper. He has not moaned, he just gets on with it.”