BRAVE leukaemia sufferer Callum Gosling is the inspiration behind a £100,000 fundraising target.
Family and friends are working tirelessly to raise funds for the Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research charity as the three-year-old prepares for his last year of a three-year course of chemotherapy.
Callum lives with mum Andrea and dad Mark, both 31, and new five-week-old baby brother Aidyn.
Andrea, on maternity leave from the Bank of America in Chester, said: “Without the research Callum would not be here today. We hope one day a cure can be found and other children won’t have to go through what Callum has.”
As well as undergoing a course of extensive chemotherapy and oral chemotherapy, he has injections in his spine every 12 weeks.
“It is heart-breaking to see him go through it,” said Andrea.
“He takes it in his stride. It is all he has ever known.
“There are bad times when he is up all through the night, but he is a cheeky little chap and is always outside playing football.”
The Ysgol Bryn Deva pupil is a keen Manchester United fan.
Childhood sweethearts Mark, who works at Airbus in Broughton, and Andrea, both attended Connah’s Quay High School and grew up in the same street.
Callum’s grandmother Diana Al-Zaidi and husband Shakir, directors of Russell IMP, are matching all funds raised with the total now standing at more than £16,000.
Diana said: “The campaign has been inspired by Callum’s diagnosis of leukaemia and watching his brave battle through some very harsh treatment. We are very grateful for every single pound.
“The money can do so much good. We are out there most weekends and so are the staff. We have done raffles, sponsored walks and car washes.”
The firm, based on Deeside Industrial Park, specialises in non-chemical pest control products and recently won a Queen’s Award.
Mark’s childhood friend Ben Taylor, 32, of Connah’s Quay, organised a 66-mile bike ride on Saturday from Anglesey to Flint along with fellow staff and customers at Huws Gray in Flint.
He said: “We raised more than £2,000 and that will be doubled by Diana and
Shakir. The ride went really well. We are all thrilled it is going to such a good cause.
“We area really grateful to everyone who supported us. It was mostly friends and family as well as Huws Gray customers who gave money.”
Andrea, of Machynlleth Way, Connah’s Quay added: “It is fantastic what Ben and the others have done. We are so thankful and proud of him. They have done so much. It has given us such an uplift.”
If you would like to donate to the fund visit www.justgiving.com/ russellipm