THIS is the happy smiling face of brave leukaemia sufferer Gemma Makemson all set for the holiday of a lifetime. Since the Citizen stepped in to help the Makemsons raise money to take the family to Florida they have been inundated with offers of help. But they still need to find another £500 so Gemma's Dad, Derek, and her brother Neil and two sisters Nicola and Danielle can go too.

Four-year-old Gemma, of Dee Road on Lancaster's Ryelands estate, was diagnosed with leukaemia last June and has been undergoing chemotherapy ever since.

Just before Christmas the family received a surprise letter from the Lancaster based Children's Holiday of a Lifetime charity saying Gemma had been chosen to go to Florida this April.

She was nominated by her Derek's workmates at the Timax Exhaust System's Nicholson plant at Glasson Dock. The charity covers the cost of the trip for Gemma and her mum, Diane, but the family have to pay for the rest themselves.

Gemma said: "I am really excited about going to America and I'm going to give Mickey Mouse a big piece of Lancashire cheese when I see him."

Both Derek and Diane say they have been overwhelmed with the generosity from friends, family and neighbours. The family have not had a holiday together for the last two years.

Diane told the Citizen: "We were given an anonymous donation of £100 and I would like to thank everyone for their help. We are trying to raise as much money as possible ourselves but there is only so much overtime Derek can do.

"Gemma is very brave and she knows all about the disease, we have had to tell her everything. It should be a really special holiday."

So far the cash to fund the trip has been raised through car boot sales and charity nights. But if any local businesses or fund-raisers would like to make a donation to the Makemsons please contact the Citizen on 843929 or write to us at the Lancaster and Morecambe Citizen, Victoria Court, Penny Street, Lancaster, LA1 1XN.

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