THE mum of a brave seven-year-old who died from a rare form of cancer is calling on the community to help back a charity set up in her memory.

Madison Allan’s family set up Maddi’s Butterflies in 2012 after the Lower Darwen youngster died of Neuroblastoma on Boxing day in 2011.

MORE TOP STORIES:

The charity raises money to provide holidays and treats for children with cancer, as well as support for their families.

So far they have raised around £100,000 and provided over 400 children with wishes and breaks.

But Madison’s mum Samantha Allan said that the charity now needs more support to keep going.

She said: “When Madison was ill we saw how much it meant to have a smile put on her face, and that’s why we set up Maddi’s Butterflies, so we could do the same for other children and their families.

“We get inundated with requests from people for help from all over the country, we do as much as we can but we are only a small charity and rely heavily on fundraising.

“We are aware that there are lots of charities around but we need the community to back us so we can carry our work – it really does make a huge difference to the lives of these children who are very ill or dying.”

In 2013 the charity bought a caravan at Marton Mere in Blackpool which they use as destination for families in need of respite.

They are now hoping to get a car, which they hope will be sponsored by a dealership, to travel back and forth from the caravan to clean it between visitors.

Samantha wants the community to sign up for a ‘Silly Hat Day’ taking place on May 15 to raise funds for the charity.

She added: “When Maddi was being treated she lost her hair and wore hats to help protect her head from the cold and stop her being as self conscious.

“We really want local schools, community groups and businesses to get involved – all they have to do is wear a silly hat and donate a pound.

“If people taking part will email us photographs of the day we will put them on our website.”

“We are also looking for people to enter events, such as the Great Manchester Run, on our behalf, making us your named charity for a year to assist us in raising funds and holding other fundraising events, such as dress down days.”