Hundreds of pounds have been donated in support of a fundraising Sidmouth teenager battling brain cancer after she was rushed to hospital.
Charlotte Reid was taken to Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital last Monday after having her first seizure in the early hours of the morning.
Her dad Steve had to administer CPR at their Sidford home. Charlotte remained unconscious until the same evening and was brought home from hospital at the weekend after a series of tests.
The 17-year-old was diagnosed with a rare craniopharyngioma in July 2015. Her brain tumour is benign, but has affected her growth and short-term memory.
Family friend Andy Turner took to Facebook to encourage her ‘army’ of online followers to continue supporting her fundraising efforts to raise £20,000 for Brain Tumour Research.
He wrote: “That brave little girl recognised that the research into brain tumours is vastly under funded.
“She didn’t sit back and think there is nothing I can do. She got herself out there and fund raised.
“That money was spent on the research that has ultimately saved Charlotte.
“You do not have to feel helpless. You are an army of friends who are there when Charlotte, Ange and Steve need support the most.
“You aren’t any old army, you are #charlottesarmy.”
The teen and her supporters have hit her target to raise a week’s worth of funding for research at Brain Tumour Research’s centre at Plymouth University, which specialises in low-grade brain tumours in young people and adults.
Charlotte’s mum Angie said she was not aware of Andy’s post until she started receiving email updates about donations on the teen’s Just Giving page.
She said: “It was lovely how he put it. It was very touching, I think it has raised more than £300 so far.
“It is always amazing to receive donations. I think sharing Charlotte’s story helps people understand how amazing she is, and how she is.”
The teenager turns 18 on Sunday, and on Tuesday has been invited by John Bercow, the speaker of the House of Commons, to attend a reception for Brain Tumour Research at the Palace of Westminster.
To donate, visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/angela-reid11
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