KIND-HEARTED Guiseley people have raised more than £1,800 to help a young girl who is battling a rare form of cancer.

The community rallied round to hold a fundraising gig in aid of 11-year-old Millie Gallant, who is being treated for a rare form of bone cancer called Ewing’s sarcoma.

The schoolgirl is in America at the moment receiving treatment.

Part of the money will be used to help Millie realise her dream of going to Disneyland Florida, and a portion will also go to the Candlelighters charity. Established in 1976, Candlelighters was formed and run by parents of children who have or have had cancer, former patients and the medical staff who treat them.

Based in Yorkshire, Candlelighters provides essential services and support to children with cancer and their families.

The charity fundraising event was organised by parents whose children go to school with Millie at Tranmere Park.

One of them, Marie Stout, said the level of support from residents and businesses in Guiseley had shown they had a town to be proud of – with numerous donations from local companies.

The band, Recycled, played free of charge, and Coopers Bar and Brasserie, in Otley Road, Guiseley, allowed the event to be held in its function room free of charge.

“On our quest for raffle prizes we have found local businesses could not do enough for us,” Marie said.

She said the event on Saturday had raised more than double the original target.

“Millie is currently in America having specialist radiotherapy, but I’ve let her mum know the final figure and they are chuffed that Guiseley people have done so well for them,” she added.

Millie was just ten when she was diagnosed with Ewing’s sarcoma in June last year.

Her family set up a fund to raise money for her and for Candlelighters. On their website, Millie’s Journey, they say: “Millie’s dream has always been to go to Disneyland Florida. Over the coming months family and friends will be fundraising in the hope of making our little girl’s wish come true.”

Last year more than 270 bikers joined a fundraising ride to give her American dream a huge boost.

The mass ride in October saw a long convoy of bikes and trikes travelling down from the OK Diner, near Hartlepool, to the Sun Inn at Norwood.

The event raised more than £4,500.

After the event Millie’s gran, Karen Lester, said: “The family are just overwhelmed by the generosity and love shown to Millie.”