A SCHOOLGIRL who fell over and broke her leg while on holiday now faces a full leg amputation after doctors discovered she has a rare form of cancer.

Chardonnay Rawcliffe-Roberts, from Accrington, was enjoying her February half-term break with a visit to Blackpool when she fell over while playing.

The 13-year-old was rushed to hospital where doctors began treating her for a broken leg.

But while working with her, physicians soon discovered something much more concerning.

Speaking to the Lancashire Telegraph, Miss Rawcliffe said: “I could tell something was wrong with the way they were acting.

"They told us they had found something they were worried about and that it could be cancer. We were sent to Birmingham Children's Hospital where Chardonnay had a series of tests.

"Two weeks later I got a phone call from Manchester Children's Hospital and I was told she had Ewing's Sarcoma in her left leg.

“As a mother you never expect something like this to happen to your own child. We were all just in such shock.”

Chardonnay, a pupil at Broadfield School in Oswaldtwistle, has only been able to return to the classroom once since her diagnosis as she immediately began chemotherapy following the discovery.

She is now scheduled to have a full-leg amputation in August, an operation doctors hope Chardonnay will make a full recovery from.

Ms Rawcliffe said: “The cancer hasn't spread and is just in her leg, so we are hoping the amputation will work. She will still have to continue chemotherapy until the new year though."

The mum-of-one added that Chardonnay has taken the heartbreaking news well, adding: "She is a strong girl, we will get through this together."

Now, hundreds of people across Lancashire have come together in a bid to raise some money for the family.

Good friend and neighbour Ann Goodwin is one of five people who have put their all into organising a fundraising day, the proceeds of which will go towards helping Chardonnay and Liz after the operation.

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Ms Goodwin said: “We were all so devastated when we heard the news. She is such a lovely girl, always with a smile on her face.

“I was chatting with a neighbour last month when I mentioned I’d like to do something for them and from there the idea has just grown.

“We have a fundraising campaign set-up and have now organised a fun day for Chardonnay where there will be an auction, children’s games and fun for everyone.

“The whole of Accrington has really come together to support our fundraising efforts and we are all really looking forward to a great day.”

The event will take place on September 22 at Enfield Cricket Club in Accrington. More details can be found by visiting Chardonnay’s GoFundMe page, which can be found here www.gofundme.com/f/chardonnay-rawcliff-roberts

Organisers are still looking for donations and anyone interested in holding a stall at the event can contact Ann by emailing goodwinann96@yahoo.com