'Thank you is just not enough' - first fundraising target for Charlie Procter's treatment reached

Charlie Procter, three, was diagnosed with Hepatoblastoma a year ago and is undergoing his 21st round of chemotherapy this week.

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Soon the Accrington youngster will become resistant to the treatment which is why the family have set out to raise £250,000 to travel to America to seek further help.

Now the first target of £50,000 has been passed and the family is looking to go to the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital in four weeks.

His mum Amber Schofield, 22, said: “We’ve raised more than £60,000 so far.

“Everyone has been so good to us so far. It’s such a welcome shock and surprise.

“There are no words that we can say, thank you is just not enough.”

Miss Schofield and Charlie’s father Ben Procter also have a nine-month-old daughter, Jessica.

The family has estimated that it will cost £23,000 for a six-week treatment course and £30,000 for an eight-week course, but if Charlie had to stay longer it could cost up to £250,000 with accommodation and flights.

They said they have been 'overwhelmed' with the support so far and a number of events are planned for the coming weeks.

Miss Schofield said: “There so much support coming in from people we don’t even know as well as family members.

“It’s all just happened too quick to take in. It’s all just overwhelming.”

A charity seven-a-side football tournament is being held at Hyndburn Leisure Centre on Sunday, March 19, and the same organisers are also looking to host darts, pool and poker tournaments later in the month.

A ‘Dance 4 Charlie’ event is also being held at the Cellar Bar in Blackburn on Saturday, April 22.

Recent fundraising activities include a pop up cafe held at the Baptist Church in Oswaldtwistle last month which raised £850.

Thousands were also raised by a sponsored walk held in Morecambe towards the end of last month.

Gym owner from Oswaldtwistle Mickii Edwards has also leading numerous fundraising events.