A FUNDRAISING campaign inspired by a 12-year-old girl to support her dad as he battles cancer has sparked a massive response.

Donations and offers of help have flooded in following the launch of the effort, instigated by caring youngster Brooke Carter.

Last week we highlighted how Brooke – whose father, Stuart, is battling stage 4 bowel cancer – had asked her aunt if she could set-up a Go Fund Me page to help ease financial concerns over Christmas.

The fundraising page ­­– at gf.me/u/y8fsdh – had a target of £2,000, but over £3,100 has been donated so far.

And there have been countless other acts of support from across the community.

The Sue Belcher Centre at Bracken Bank has staged activities, spearheaded by Jayne McDonnell and Louise Dyson, including a raffle and Zoom bingo. It has handed over Christmas presents, hampers, money and a cake voucher from Crumbs in Silsden.

Santa sacks were given by Swiftprint.

Plus Linda Ingham, who works with Stuart’s sister at Sainsbury’s, had her head shaved and coined-in over £500.

“The response has just been amazing,” said Stuart’s wife, Hayley.

“We’ve had all kinds of donations and offers of help.

“The kindness shown by everyone has been overwhelming and we’re so grateful.

“It has been a real comfort to us.”

Stuart, 37, was diagnosed with stage 4 bowel cancer on October 31, after suffering from abdominal pain and cramps for several weeks.

Initially the symptoms were attributed to constipation and then a suspected infection. He was prescribed antibiotics.

But his condition worsened and further tests were carried out.

“When Stuart got the diagnosis it was devastating, the worst news,” says Hayley, 31.

“Because of the Covid restrictions Stuart was on his own when he received the diagnosis and he just couldn’t ring me.”

He will now undergo six months of chemotherapy, followed by surgery to remove the tumour.

There will then be another course of chemo.

The warehouse operative is no longer working and Hayley has given-up her job as a dinner lady at Beckfoot Oakbank School to help look after him.

The couple – of Broomhill Drive, Keighley – have daughters Brooke; Brogan, nine; Amelia, seven, and Adalyn, five, and two-year-old son Grayson.

“Coming up to Christmas Stuart would normally do a lot of overtime to provide over Christmastime but of course he won’t be this year,” says Hayley.

“Brooke said she didn’t want her dad to worry about anything. She’s so thoughtful.”