A Welsh community that rallied three years ago to help a little girl with cancer has come together once more – raising over £10,000 for the children’s hospice charity that has supported the family through their most devastating journey
Three years ago, a tight-knit Welsh community united to support a young girl in her battle for survival. Now, that very same community has mobilised once more – this time for the family and the charity that sustained them through their most heartbreaking ordeal.
Back in 2021, two year old Olivia Finch from Bryn, Neath Port Talbot, fell critically ill. For over 40 days she had been suffering from vomiting and experiencing difficulty walking. When her parents – Kelly and Nick – eventually got the answers they desperately sought, the news was crushing: stage four neuroblastoma, a brutal childhood cancer with roughly a 50% survival rate.
News rapidly circulated throughout the village that one of their neighbours required assistance. The community transformed into a rock of strength for the Finch family, particularly when a ray of hope emerged through a clinical trial in America; a possible method to stop Olivia’s cancer from returning.
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Though this hope carried an intimidating cost, the village remained resolute and leapt into action. Fundraising commenced on March 1, 2022, and the reaction was extraordinary. Cake sales, sponsored walks, and charitable events packed the diary. Contributions flooded in not only from Wales, but from locations as distant as South Africa and Australia.
In just one month, they had already secured £150,000 of the required £250,000. Kelly recalls: “People were incredible. We had messages from people we’d never met. You could feel the whole community behind us, lifting us up when we needed it most.”
Throughout the subsequent months and years, Olivia battled through countless rounds of intensive treatment. Six cycles of an alternative chemotherapy regimen proved unsuccessful. By October 2023, she had developed resistance to the medications and her health declined significantly. “She’d got really bad,” Kelly said candidly.
“At that point doctors actually said to us that ethically we should consider stopping treatment… But me and Nick were adamant, we were like, look, please, we needed to try this immunochemotherapy.”
Following a determined fight to secure treatment access, approval was eventually granted through the Welsh NHS, with the outcomes proving to be an encouraging development. Following three cycles, it had eliminated three tumours from her body, Wales Online reports.
Only the tumour in Olivia’s head remained – the primary relapse site. It hadn’t diminished, but importantly, it hadn’t expanded either. This paved the way for a clinical trial in London in 2024. Olivia received MIBG therapy, a type of targeted internal radiation.
For four weeks she resided in a lead-lined room, secured behind a sliding door. Looking back on it now, Kelly says, “When you’re in it, you get on with it… but looking back, it was awful. Olivia made it easier. She always finds the positives.”
After leaving London, Olivia immediately began immunotherapy in Southampton. This became their new normal: four weeks at home, two weeks away, and repeat – from May to September.
During these two-week periods, Megan, Olivia’s older sister, stayed with Kelly’s parents. It was a challenging time for her, but Nanny and Grampa’s house became her second home.
There was a point when they thought Olivia was finally cancer-free; her primary tumour had disappeared, offering some relief. However, within weeks, a new tumour appeared. “She’s never truly been in remission,” Kelly shared. “She’s always been on treatment.”
In a final bid for additional treatment, the family journeyed to Italy for CAR T-cell therapy – an innovative method proving successful with blood cancers and currently being tested on solid tumours. Olivia had an operation in Rome where surgeons removed part of her skull to enable a tumour biopsy.However, the findings revealed insufficient GD2 protein on her cancer cells’ surface – the crucial protein required for the treatment to work effectively.
Despite this setback, Kelly harbours no regrets. She said: “Everything we’ve possibly been able to try, we’ve tried. I don’t think we could have lived with ‘what ifs’ – wondering if things would have been different had we gone down a different avenue.”
Currently, Olivia receives palliative care through Tŷ Hafan. Kelly revealed they avoid terminology such as ‘terminal’ or ‘palliative’. Instead, the family describes Olivia as “living with cancer”.
While the term “hospice” often conjures up associations with death, leading to feelings of apprehension and fear, Tŷ Hafan has completely overturned these expectations for the Finch family. Instead, it’s a place that the girls view as fun; a haven filled with play, warmth and familiarity.
Kelly confesses that she and Nick were anxious before their initial visit, but it quickly became a sanctuary. They now have a dedicated family officer who keeps in touch, and several staff members have visited their home to explain the available therapies and services.
“Like many families in our situation, I genuinely believe we’d be lost without the charities,” says Kelly.
“This level of support sparked Cwmafan Primary School into action. It started quite informally, with deputy head Alex Graham asking Kelly which charities had assisted the family and how the school could contribute. A few days later, he called again: would the family be happy if the school raised funds for Tŷ Hafan?”I said yes straight away,” Kelly smiled.”
What started as a humble fundraising idea quickly transformed into a powerful mission. Alex Graham revealed that the children were the driving force behind the initiative, stating: “They’ve driven this themselves. They want to make a difference.”
Kelly was taken aback by the children’s dedication to the cause. She expressed her admiration, saying: “The kids are unbelievable – they have worked so hard and it has meant the world.”
On Monday, 17 November, nearly 400 pupils participated in a sponsored walk through their local area, setting off in groups throughout the day. Olivia, donning a vibrant green tutu, joined in the fun, with a matching tutu for her best mate. Kelly shared: “She was so excited!”
Kelly confessed that she had anticipated the school would raise a few thousand pounds. However, the donations exceeded expectations. “Megan and Olivia alone raised £2,675,” she disclosed. “One of Olivia’s friends took the sponsor form to her gramps workplace and came home with over £600. “
In the end, the school managed to collect an impressive £10,413.20, a sum that will be doubled to £20,826 thanks to Tŷ Hafan’s Champions Appeal. “I am so grateful to the school and the children for their support and the level of donations,” Kelly said. “I don’t know if all communities are like it, having lived here all my life, but it feels so special – like everyone wants the best for each other. I am proud to come from here. “
Alex added: “On behalf of our headteacher, Mrs. George, and our whole school community to share this event that was especially meaningful to us. We had a family in our school who had spent time at Tŷ Hafan, and as a community that valued supporting good causes, we wanted to do something to give back to a charity so close to our hearts. As a school, we had been studying the concept of ‘achievement,’ exploring how to make a difference in other people’s lives.
“We decided to choose a charity of the year, and Tŷ Hafan was suggested by some of our children. Following this, a representative from Tŷ Hafan came in to deliver assemblies for us, and both staff and pupils were absolutely blown away by the warmth, love, and support that they offered to children and their families.
“”Inspired by this, our Year 4, 5, and 6 pupils decided to organise a sponsored walk within our close-knit community, aiming to raise as much money as possible. The enthusiasm from the children was incredible – they truly drove the effort themselves, thinking creatively about how to raise funds.
“We had already collected a few thousand pounds, and every penny raised went directly to Tŷ Hafan. We were also thrilled that our efforts were part of the Champions Appeal, meaning all funds donated between November 23rd and November 25th were match-funded and doubled by their sponsors.
“We were proud to be a community-focused school, with nearly 400 children and families who always came together to support one another. Both girls from the family involved were fantastic characters, and it was heartwarming to see the whole school rallying around them.
“And as the Finch family faces the unimaginable, a village, a school and a charity continue to surround them with strength, care and moments of joy – ensuring that Olivia’s courage is met with the same warmth and love she has shown the world. “
