Express & Star

Isla, 8, raises £1,100 for charity after aunt's heart tumour

A little girl has helped raise more than £1,000 for charity as her aunt recovers from a rare heart tumour.

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Anna with Isla, on the right, and her younger sister Eden

Anna Hackett, 33, was diagnosed with intimal sarcoma – an extremely rare condition which affects one in 10 million people.

But she fought through – having open-heart surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy – and is now recovering well, part, in thanks, to her eight-year-old niece Isla.

The youngster placed her money box – along with home-made gifts and a sign – on a counter of her grandparents' shop, called Grandad's Attic on Canal Street, Stourbridge, to help fund research into the condition.

Dave Powell, Anna's father, said: "I'm immensely proud of Isla because she did it off her own bat – that's who she is.

"She's got an older head on her shoulders.

"My daughter was diagnosed with cancer and had open heart surgery at New Cross Hospital and we raised money for the hospital.

"We looked into what it was and now we send money to Sarcoma UK to keep funding research."

Customers, along with Isla, have now raised £1,100 for their efforts.

Surgeon

The youngster, who has received a Blue Peter badge for her fundraising work, currently doesn't have a goal in mind – but is determined to help "fix people" by paying for their treatment.

The family also praised the work of surgeon Dr Ian Morgan and the supportive oncologist Dr David Peak for saving Anna's life.

The 58-year-old, from Stourbridge, said: "Isla thought about her old toys and she also made little bracelets out of clay and plastic for people.

"We had them on a tray in a basket, but most people put in the money and didn't take anything out.

"She was getting a bit offended – she wanted people to get something in return.

"People put pounds in the tin everyday and we empty it almost every week.

"She's done well to raise that much so far."

Isla, along with six-year-old sister Eden, are making cakes which will be on sale at the shop in Canal Street on Saturday in aid of Sarcoma UK.