Romy's aunt launches fundraiser

Tuesday 15 February 2022

As five year old Romy McGahy continues her treatment for neuroblastoma, her aunty has pledged to cut 12 inches of her hair in exchange for donations to support her family.

Lydia Tedde, sister of Romy's mum Helen, has set herself a fundraising target of £1,000. By Monday evening, she was already close to half way there.

Ms Tedde launched her campaign last week. She said: "I will be cutting off my hair for the Little Princess Trust, and more so for our beautiful niece, Romy."

Romy was diagnosed with stage four cancer just after she started school in September last year. She has been having chemotherapy in Southampton and will require further treatment. Her parents and little sister Zephyr are with her. 

Pictured: Lydia Tedde has set herself a £1,000 target for her fundraising campaign. 

In a message from Mrs McGahy shared on Ms Tedde's Crowdfunding page, she revealed how Romy's diagnosis was classed as high risk and aggressive.

"Romy was diagnosed with neuroblastoma, a cancer almost always found in children which makes up just 6% of childhood cancers," said Mrs McGahy.

"Romy's neuroblastoma has been characterised as high risk neuroblastoma as it has spread to other areas of the body. Around 50% of children with high risk category neuroblastoma will be cured of their disease.

"Children with high risk neuroblastoma require intensive treatment from the start because their neuroblastoma cells are highly cancerous and more aggressive in the body.

"In the blink of an eye, our world has been turned upside down and our beautiful daughter is on a terrifying unknown path."

Pictured: Four-year-old Romy McGahy had just started at La Mare de Carteret Primary School when she was diagnosed with stage four cancer. She is now undergoing treatment. (Credit: Tim Langlois).

Speaking in November, Romy's mum said the treatment was likely to be long and aggressive. 

"Following 70 days of intensive chemotherapy, her treatment is unclear but will include stem cell harvesting, a stronger form of chemotherapy, surgery if and when possible, radiotherapy and immunotherapy.

"Romy will need to stay in Southampton between treatments, so we definitely expect Romy to be in Southampton for a year, but treatments can be delayed depending on unexpected events and how she responds."

While Romy's medical care is funded by the States, her family are being supported by The Priaulx Premature Baby Foundation which owns a flat near Southampton Hospital which Mr and Mrs McGahy and their younger daughter are staying in.

Pictured: Lydia Tedde will take 12 inches off her long hair if she raises £1,000 to help support little Romy and her family. 

Ms Tedde said she wants to raise money to offer the family any support she can through their challenge.

The Little Princess Trust was launched in 2006 with the aim of collecting hair which is used to make wigs for children and young adults who have lost their own through cancer treatments or other conditions.

The charity stipulates that the hair must be a minimum of seven inches long. As there is currently a good stock of hair between seven and 11 inches long, the charity is requesting donations of hair longer than 12 inches. Ms Tedde's locks currently cascade down her back and are at 12 inches.

In the 25 years since it was launched, The Little Princess Trust has provided more than 8,000 wigs to children and young people and has invested around £5million in childhood cancer research.

Pictured: The Little Princess Trusts collects donations of hair and money to provide wigs and to support research projects.

To support Lydia Tedde's Crowdfunding campaign click HERE. 

Ms Tedde told Express she will book the haircut in when she has reached her fundraising target.

"I would like to raise £1000  before I chop it all off. I will be donating 12" of my hair to The Little Princess Trust as there are plenty of children that need it more than me. 

"Having seen pictures of Romy from our family chat and seeing how her hair is thinning made me realise that although I can't cure her I am able to make a difference and make things easier for Tom, Helen, Zephyr and Romy by raising money for them and donating my hair.

"My hair is also super curly so 12" of hair coming off means I will definitely have a bit of an afro - good for those Bob Ross lessons I teach at work!

"As for how Romy is doing, I haven't had any recent updates from the family group and don't want to intrude and constantly ask. The last news I heard was that she was able to spend some time at the flat with the rest of her family which for Romy's mood must have been uplifting."  

Pictured: Lydia Tedde (l) and her niece, Romy McGahy (r).