Running for Libby

A team of teachers has banded together to raise money for charity after one of their students was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer.

Libby Singleton-Moss is just six years old and was recently diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia, a rare type of cancer that attacks the white blood cells and affects around 300 children a year.

However, she’s not let it get in the way of being her usual fun and outgoing self. 

Touched by her resilience and determination, her teachers at St John Fisher RC Primary School in Denton committed to taking on the Manchester 10K last weekend to raise money for the hospital that has been helping to treat her. 

Sixteen teachers in total took part and they were joined by Libby’s twin brother Tom, her big sister Pippa and her best friend who took part in the junior race.

All of the staff were more than happy to pitch in to help the appeal and Libby’s mum Deb Singleton says that having such a supportive school environment has made the world of difference to the family. 

She explained how Libby’s diagnoses came as a shock to them all.

“Over the Christmas period Libby had been fine, she’d had a great Christmas and then on the 28th of December she woke up complaining her back was hurting,” she said.

“She was sick so we took her to A&E on the 29th at Tameside. 

“They ran some blood tests and that’s when they transferred us over to Manchester Children’s Hospital to Ward 84 - their haematology and oncology ward.”

Following a round of intensive tests the family were given the devastating news that Libby had Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia. Treatment usually lasts two and a half years.

Mum Deb said: “Our world came falling down.”

It has been a big challenge for the family, and especially Libby’s twin brother Tom. The pair were already close, but mum Deb says it’s brought them even closer.

“He’s so loving and caring. Even days like this where they’re in school - she’ll struggle to get up and down because of the effects of the chemotherapy on her joints and muscles but he sits next to her on the carpet in class and holding her hand helping her to get up. 

“To him that’s just normal now. He’s just been great.”

The fundraising has been a huge help for the family. They say it’s given them something positive to focus on. 

“All throughout this journey you just feel helpless. So the one thing that has helped us is the support from everyone. Kind words, a hug, they’re the things that keep us going.”

Libby’s mum was full of praise for the school and its staff, who’ve taken Libby’s diagnosis to heart and are determined to help. 

Headteacher Mandy Harris said the diagnosis came as a shock, but they quickly realised they had to do something to help.

“If anything, from tragic circumstances it’s brought the school community together,” she said.

The total raised for Ward 84 at Manchester Children’s Hospital currently stands at over £4,500 across two JustGiving pages with more due in. To donate, visit JustGiving.com by searching ‘Pippa and Tom’s Great Manchester Run Page.’