A STAVERTON mother is aiming to provide festive cheer for families who find themselves in hospital this Christmas - a year after she and her family spent Christmas Day at daughter Matilda's bedside on an oncology ward.

Gabby Fisher has endured a rollercoaster year since Matilda was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia nearly 12 months ago. She went went onto receive six months of gruelling chemotherapy at Bristol Children’s Hospital and then at the RUH in Bath, and is now in remission.

Slowly but surely, Gabby and Dave Fisher, of Herbleaze, Staverton, have seen their little girl grow stronger, while receiving monthly doses of chemotherapy and daily medication.

Following the overwhelming support from family, friends and Staverton Primary, Mrs Fisher has set up Sunshine Sacks, which will send food, drink and other presents to give the families of children with cancer spending this Christmas in hospitals across the South West some much-needed festive cheer.

"The Matilda of today is like a different person to the one last Christmas, when we were given the horrible news and when she underwent chemotherapy for the first time," said Mrs Fisher, who is her full-time carer.

"We had to spend Christmas with baby Marley, who is one, on an oncology and haematology ward at the hospital and that was hard to take.

"The determination and resolve that Matilda, who is now in remission but will to continue to have chemotherapy for another 15 months, has shown has made me want to help others in a similar situation. I posted the idea on my blog and the feedback was fantastic.

"It works by people donating four 'eat me' items, such as mince pies, chocolates and Christmas pudding, two 'drink me' items, tea, coffee or soft drinks, and two 'entertain me' items, such as board games, Christmas decorations, toys and DVDs.

"I have received so many offers of support and have been genuinely touched by the generosity of friends, family members and a whole host of complete strangers.

"Our initial target was 50 bags, which I thought might be ambitious, but we’ve already been promised far more than that and hope that this Christmas campaign will just be the start for Sunshine Sacks.

"Rachel Corbett, from Devizes, has joined the team too with her five-year-old daughter Suki, who has undergone cancer treatment this year.

"Matilda is really excited to hand out the items to children who have also undergone chemotherapy. I am hoping this can grow into something bigger."

Drop-off points for donations include The Bridal Lounge on Court Street and British Row, Trowbridge; Staverton Primary School; Belle of the Ball Bridals, High Street, Melksham JS Weeks and Co, St John's Street, Devizes, and the management office at Emery Gate in Chippenham.

Mrs Fisher added that all items, which should be dropped off before December 14, should be new, sealed, within any use by date and individually packed if possible and that items should be unisex and suitable for the whole family.

For more information visit www.facebook.com/sunshinesacks