A birthday charity gift

A boy recovering from a brain tumour and his twin sister have raised more than £400 for a charity that supported him.

Alfie and Daisy Walmsley, of Queen Street, Balderton, celebrated their 11th birthdays last week but, instead of presents, they asked friends to make donations to the Brain Tumour Research Centre, Nottingham.

Alfie was diagnosed in May 2008 and has had several operations to remove the tumour as well as chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

He has now finished treatment, although he still has to have regular check-ups at the Queen’s Medical Centre, Nottingham.

Alfie marked his birthday by taking nine friends to Newark Bowling and Laser quest, on Castlegate, while Daisy had a disco at North Muskham Rural Community Centre.

Their mother, Miss Katrina Price, 38, said: “Alfie felt like he wanted to raise money. He knows everyone made a huge effort and raised lots of money.

“We were thinking of what we could do to get the ball rolling and we came up with this. They are both really thrilled. Everyone has been really generous.”

Both youngsters, who attend Muskham Primary School, were given presents by their family but decided to ask for donations from friends instead.

Miss Price said: “Obviously with what has happened it’s nice to give something back. The parents have been really supportive. We had a good response.”

Alfie and Daisy counted the money together and Miss Price is due to hand it over to the charity.

They chose to support the centre because Alfie’s consultant was involved in a research project at Nottingham University.

“Hopefully in the future it might help other children,” Miss Price said.

Family and friends of Alfie have so far raised more than £10,000 for the charity through various fundraising events.

His aunts, Mrs Sarah-Jane Mayall and Miss Lucy Price, raised £5,000 for CLIC Sargent by completing last year’s London Marathon.