A CHARITY set up in memory of a young cancer sufferer has helped 18 families with poorly children to go on holiday this year.

After seven-year-old Madison Allan from Darwen died in 2011 from neuroblastoma, Maddi’s Butterflies was set up to raise money to assist families with children who are diagnosed with cancer.

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One of the things the organisation has been doing since it was set up is sending families to a holiday home to Marton Mere near Blackpool.

Founder Samantha Allan, Madison’s mum, said it was a great achievement that they had helped 18 families go away but also feels it may be time for a change.

She said: “We want to be doing this more and more next year.

“We know more than anyone how important it is to spend time with your child when they have cancer.

“We lost Madison five years ago and it doesn’t get any easier.

“I am always wondering what she would be doing now and every year is just another one without her.

“It is amazing that we have managed to send out that many families to the caravan and we are hoping that at some point next year we will be able to move it to Ribby Hall in Preston.

“I think it will be a nicer haven for the families as we have found that Marton Mere can get a bit noisy and Ribby Hall is open all year round.”

Madison was well enough to enjoy her own trip to Lapland in December 2011, but on her return her condition deteriorated before she died on Boxing Day.

The success of the holiday home comes as the charity’s annual pyjama appeal collected a record 1,114 pairs for children at Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital.

These have now been delivered to the children who are said to have been more excited about them than any other presents.

Mrs Allan said she hopes she will be able to use the success of the pyjama campaign to drive up more support next year.

She said: “Pyjamas are just something that children need especially when they are in and out of hospital.

“People are still sending them in and I am delighted with how it keeps getting better every year.

“Donations have been a bit slow this year so I am hoping that we can drive up more support next year.”because things like the pyjama appeal and holiday home are really working.”