A kind-hearted man is hoping to give the family of a mum who was given just a day to live a "perfect Christmas" by doing a charity walk to raise money for them.
Carrie Dodds-Hallan, who is a mum-of-six from Blackpool, was diagnosed with acute Myeloid Leukemia back in June while she was pregnant with her sixth child.
The mother was told by medics on June 26 that she may not even be able to survive for more than a day.
Despite the heartbreaking diagnosis, Carrie was able to give birth to her youngest daughter Poppy-May Leia Hallan, who was born at 33 weeks weighing just 3lb 12oz.
She also married her partner Shaun four days later on October 7.
Her childhood friend Ben Gayton has now vowed to raise money for the family after they had to "cancel Christmas" because her illness has meant they've had to "use all the money".
Carrie underwent a mild round of chemotherapy during her pregnancy but she is now undergoing more tests and is getting ready for another round of intense chemotherapy.
The 41-year-old told LancsLive in August: "It had attacked my body so quickly. My white blood cells were at 198, so I had to have chemotherapy and a blood wash.
"Once I had that, [the doctor] said I could have a future and that's when I started to pick up.”
Ben said that baby Poppy had been "really poorly" when she was born but that he was "made up" when he saw her and Carrie come home.
He told LancsLive: “Carrie has just said she’s tired, sore but ready to get in and have her chemotherapy and fight, fight, fight."
Speaking about his vow to raise money for the family, Ben said that "no child should go without at Christmas", adding: "It’s just such an urgent story, as because of her illness, they’ve had to use all the money and cancel Christmas to put her health first.
"When I saw that, I thought Carrie and those kids and Shaun deserve every moment of happiness they will get. I will walk from Blackpool to Manchester hospital to help them."
Ben decided on the 46-mile route because Carrie will soon be moved from Blackpool Victoria Hospital to Manchester hospital to undergo more treatment.
He's been urging the local community to help the family out during this tough time, adding: “I just want the community to come together. I understand that everything is going up.
"If everyone in this town put one pound in or 50p; this is a non-profitable walk and every little penny goes to Carrie and those kids, whether it's £10 or 100 grand, it’s not profitable."
Ben wanted to do something for the family and revealed that it was Carrie's wish to have a great Christmas, he said: “I've been in contact with Carrie to see what her wishes were and it was to have the perfect Christmas due to her ill health."
The sponsored walk in aid of Christmas money for Carrie's children will take place on Saturday, December 10.
Ben said: "It’s probably one of the biggest challenges I've ever done in my life. Am I ready for it? 100 percent."
To view Ben's fundraiser to help Carrie Dodds-Hallan and her family, and to contribute, click here.
