School trip horror as teen suddenly falls ill before being diagnosed with cancer

04 May 2024 , 19:06

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Faye Sharp, from Aberdeenshire, was on a school trip to Belgium, when she started feeling ill

A heartbroken family has shared how their teenage daughter fell ill while on a school trip and within months she was dead from leukaemia.

Faye Sharp, from Aberdeenshire, was just 15 years old while visiting Belgium and France with her school. But within months, she had received the devastating news that she had cancer.

Faye had a brief respite before the disease returned with a terminal prognosis. In August 2013, Faye and her crushed parents were told she had only six weeks to live. She died, aged just 18, in April 2014.

During the illness, her parents had to juggle looking after their other two children, while spending as much time as they could with Faye in hospital. Her mum Christine also had to take time off from her work to care for Faye, which impacted the family financially.

The family received financial support from charity Kayleigh’s Wee Stars (KWS) when Faye died - and they are now encouraging others to take part in fundraising events to raise cash for others who have a child with a terminal diagnosis.

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Faye's family

Faye’s father, Tony, said: “When Faye passed away, we didn’t know really how we were going to pay the funeral expenses, but KWS took care of that. It took a big worry and burden off our minds and without question they helped us and donated so much money towards the funeral. I will be forever grateful for that”.

KWS stepped in to support the family throughout Faye’s illness, and when she passed away just one month after her 18th birthday. They helped take care of additional costs, which was a huge weight off the family’s shoulders in the midst of their heartache.

Kayleigh’s Wee Stars was set up by Jonathan and Anna Cordiner after losing their two-year-old daughter Kayleigh to terminal illness in 2012. The charity relies heavily on their flagship events each year to bring in funds which is used as grants to help support families where there is a child with a terminal illness.

The first event in the calendar for 2024 is their annual Barra 10K run, which takes place on Saturday May 25 in Oldmeldrum. The popular race unfolds across a challenging multi-terrain trail over Barra Hill, with spectacular views across the north-east countryside.

Jonathan Cordiner, KWS co-founder and Kayleigh’s dad, said: “We support many families each year, just like the Sharp family and it is so important that we host these flagship events so that we can raise enough money. The support we provide to the families through the charity is only possible with the incredible support we receive from the local community.

"We still have lots of spaces left for the Barra 10K and we would encourage everyone who can, to sign up and run. Contributions mean that absolutely all of the money raised from this event’s entry fee will be going directly to families where there is a child with a terminal diagnosis."

Later this year, Faye's sister, Ellie Sharp, will be organising and taking part in a number of charity events in collaboration with Kayleigh’s Wee Stars. To find out more about Kayleigh’s Wee Stars, click here. To watch the full story of The Sharp family visit the website here.

Ryan Carroll