It was just six weeks after her prom that Connie Holmes lost her life to a rare form of cancer. Her dad, Tony, said he he couldn't "begin to describe" the grief.
The fight that would cut short her young life started when she experienced pain in the left side of her body. Eventually, it meant she could no longer use her hand.
After seeing her GP, Connie went to hospital in Leeds, close to the family home in Bilton-in-Ainsty, near Harrogate in North Yorkshire. It led to her being diagnosed with an aggressive and rare cancer called Ewing's Sarcoma, which attacks bones or the soft tissues around them.
Connie died in August 2015 and now Tony is raising money for the charity that helped her have an amazing experience with her family, reports YorkshireLive.
Tony, a retired social worker, said: "You can’t begin to describe the grief when a child dies. It’s a haze and blur. You just stumble through from one day to the next. To have nice things to look back on is so important – special moments, special memories, that keep them alive in your heart."
When Connie was referred to the LGI, an MRI located a significant 'swelling' in her neck.
"We were initially told that it was likely to be benign, but that she’d need to have surgery immediately and would be on the operating table for at least 12 hours. Connie just went white with fear. After that her oncologist came to see us and told us, as calmly and gently as possible, that it was unlikely to be benign," Tony, 59, remembered.
The surgery confirmed Connie's tumour was malevolent. She was then rushed into several rounds of surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
Connie was then referred to Make-A-Wish, which facilitated a trip to Paris with her dad, mum Judith, and little brother Harvey in October 2014. Tragically Connie relapsed not much later.
Tony said: "Connie always loved musicals, and Les Miserables was her favourite. She just wanted to visit Paris, and specifically to have dinner in the Eiffel Tower.
The voluntary Wish Makers that came to see Connie were great. She found it hard to choose a wish, but they made her believe that she deserved to have any wish she wanted.
"After her death, the memory of that trip brought us so much comfort. Having the pictures to look back on - these things can be a light in the darkest days.
"Her brother Harvey chose to make a short animation of that trip in the bereavement group he attended. Even years later, the memories of that time help keep her a part of our family and alive in our minds, our memories, and our hearts."
Tony is planning to run the Great North Run this autumn to raise money for Make-A-Wish. He will be running alongside Connie's brother Harvey and her childhood friend David, as well as David's Dad, Ian.
"Whether you’re donating, fundraising or volunteering for Make-A-Wish UK, to know that you’re helping a critically ill child make special memories with their family is a privilege," Tony added.
June 1 to June 7 is volunteers week and Make-A-Wish is currently appealing for volunteers to help children like Connie.
Emma Vizor, volunteer engagement lead at Make-A-Wish UK, said: ‘Our vision is a world in which every critically ill child, like Connie, has their wish come true. But, with over 60,000 UK children eligible for a wish, we don’t currently have enough volunteers to make that vision a reality. Right now, donating your time has just as powerful an impact on achieving our vision as donations and fundraising.
"As Tony’s story shows, the power of a wish brings light and joy to children and their loved ones, leaving a profound and lasting impact on all their lives. By visiting www.make-a-wish.org.uk/volunteer today you can begin playing a vital part in that process, helping to light up the darkness for critically ill children and their families across the UK."
To donate to Tony's fundraiser, visit his Just Giving page here.
