A YOUNGSTER whose tragic family has been devastated by cancer is raising money to help a Bulgarian teenager who has a life-threatening strain of the disease.

Nelimira Ovcharova, 17, from Haskovo, needs urgent treatment for lung cancer and faces certain death if she is not flown to Britain for treatment in the next month.

Ten-year-old Jenni Winnard from Bankside Lane, Bacup, got involved in raising funds through her aunt Niki, 22, and grandmother Hilda, from Manchester, who have set up Help Adolescents With Cancer.

HAWC is a support group for teenagers and young people here and abroad to help them cope with the the mental and physical stress of the disease.

Niki has an incurable brain tumour but has battled for seven years after doctors gave her six months to live.

Hilda is recovering after successful cancer treatment.

Jenni is organising a sponsored swim at her Bacup school, Sharneyford Primary, to help towards the £40,000 needed to fly Nalimira, known as Nellie, to Britain. Nellie's father, who cares for her 86-year-old grandmother, cannot afford the flight as he owes £26,000 for earlier treatment when the Middlesex Hospital in London saved Nellie's right cancerous leg.

Her own doctor had said the limb needed to be removed.

Jenni said: "I met Nellie when she was over here and was sad when I heard that she had again got cancer."

Manchester police officers are hoping to attract sponsors for a cycle ride from Manchester United's football ground to Truro in Cornwall to boost funds for the teenager, who has already lost her mother through breast cancer.

Niki said: "Nellie is like any teenager who loves to have fun. She has fought back from cancer and her mother's tragic death but now she feels terribly low.

"Her dream is to study law at university. We must find the money to save her life. Time is short."

Anyone who can help with fund-raising events or donations should contact either Niki or Hilda at HAWC on 0161 688 6244.

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