Calling for bingo prizes as Wisbech school organises fundraiser for brave pupil Gabi

An appeal has gone out for prizes for a charity bingo being organised for later this month in aid of a brave Thomas Clarkson Academy pupil.

Well-known community fundraiser Betty Cunningham is organising the event on behalf of the Wisbech school to raise funds for Gaby Maurice, a year 9 student, and her family as she battles childhood cancer.

The event, which is being held at the academy's theatre on Thursday May 26, will start at 7pm and there will seating available for over 200 people.

There are already plenty of prizes to be won on the night including a £250 cash full house flyer.

All ages are welcome as it is a family event and there will be a children's bingo game for £1.

If anyone is able to donate any prizes, big or small, they would be very much appreciated and can be dropped off at the school reception, or they can be collected by Betty if you contact her on 077711038674.

Refreshments will also be available on the night including hot and cold drinks, cakes and sweets.

Fourteen-year-old Gaby was diagnosed in November after a small bump on her cheek grew rapidly.

It was identified as a tumour and she has since undergone major surgery and chemotherapy - bravely shaving her head to donate her hair to make wigs for other cancer patients.

Now her friends and staff at the academy have launched a fundraising appeal to help her family with the extra costs they are facing.

“Days after the diagnosis, Gaby returned to school full of positivity as always,” said Claire Thomas, raising standards leader at the academy.

“She specifically chose her exam subjects, which start in September, to enable her to become a mentor or counsellor for young people going through a similar time.”

As a result of receiving chemotherapy, Gaby has spent a lot of time at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge, where she was in surgery for 14 hours to remove the tumour.