Family illness fuels Kodie's fund-raising

Three of Kodie Hardy's grandparents are suffering the effects of cancer, and the youngster decided to raise money for charity, during the half-term holiday.

Kodie, 11, who attends Thomas A' Becket Middle School, in Worthing, completed a 12-and-a-half hour collection at the Bowness Avenue Post Office, in Sompting.

Her grandmother Carol Attwater, 58, who runs the post office and shop, said: "We were amazed when she suggested it. For an 11-year-old to do it I was really impressed.

"It is nice because both her other grandparents have cancer. I have had it and I am in remission. We had a pink day and filled the shop with balloons. The customers were impressed. It was lovely."

Kodie's mum Sharon said her daughter wanted to do something to help after being part of a family dealing with the effects of cancer every day, and chose to support cancer charities generally, rather than just breast cancer.

She said: "It has been an ongoing battle for six or seven years. It is her way of understanding what cancer is all about and how if affects families.

"For a child it is hard to understand but I think she wanted to feel that she was doing something. It is so much in our family that she felt that strongly. She got so much out of it. So many people have congratulated her and said well done. We are so proud."