TODAY would have been Madison Allan’s 16th birthday.

Since her death almost nine years ago, her mother Samantha along with members of the family have been running a charity in her name.

Maddi’s Butterflies was established when the seven-year-old lost her battle with neuroblastoma a rare childhood cancer.

The charity has been helping children from across the north west who have been diagnosed with cancer to make their ‘wishes come true’.

But due to the pandemic the way the charity operates has changed.
Samantha Allan said: “Over the years, we have worked closely with children’s cancer charity Clic Sargent to grant wishes and provide holidays in our caravan, to the children and families they refer to us. 

“Because of the pandemic Maddi’s Butterflies and Clic Sargent have since discussed other ways in which we can add to our services to create even more smiles for children going through the fight of their lives.

“That’s why we have introduced Smile in a Bag. This is a major project for the charity and our aim is that the bags will help even more children who need a pick-me-up during their cancer treatment.

“We have begun to provide goody bags to children from the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital who have been referred to us by Clic Sargent.

“The reusable bags are specially designed and filled with fun and age appropriate goodies.”

It hasn’t been an easy journey for the Allan family after losing Madison on Boxing Day back in 2011.

Lancashire Telegraph: Packs

Madison was seven when she passed away and she would have been 16 today.
Samantha added: “I wonder what what she would be like now. She would be in her last year of high school, studying for her GCSEs.

“It’s still hard, I am emotional and it doesn’t get easier — there are always milestones like first boyfriends, her getting married and all of those things.”

Today Samantha will be spending the day at the cemetery with Madison and her husband Mark and daughter Scarlett.

The three will celebrate Madison’s bittersweet sixteenth by going out for a meal.

Samantha said: “We will always be wondering what Madison would look like and how she would be styling her hair or doing her make up like any other typical teenager.

Lancashire Telegraph: Madi

“It does get harder because people forget, people used to send us cards on her birthday and we understand that people have lives, life goes on but we will never be the same.”

Although today will be tough for the Allan family, the positivity from Samantha will keep her going for the years to come. 

There is also a charity shop in Prestwich in Maddi’s name.

She added: “The charity gets us through the most difficult times. I thank God I have the charity to keep me occupied and I feel like Madison had a purpose.

“She didn’t die in vain and we are able to help others going through cancer with Maddi’s Butterflies. We owe it to ourselves to make it work.”

If you can make a donation to the charity visit www.maddisbutterflies.org.uk.

Lancashire Telegraph: Pin

SEPTEMBER is childhood cancer awareness month.
To raise awareness a limited edition pin badge has been made by Children with Cancer UK.
These badges feature a gold ribbon which is the internationally recognised symbol for childhood cancer and cost £2.40.
Money raised from the badges goes towards vital, specialist research into the causes of and treatments for childhood cancer. Often, the high-quality projects that can make a real difference to childhood cancer patients’ lives.
 The money you donate to Children with Cancer UK helps to improve childhood cancer survival rates and keep families together for longer. To buy a badge visit www.childrenwithcancer.org.uk.

Lancashire Telegraph: Derian House

SUPPORT children with life limiting illnesses by signing up to the Derian House Children’s Hospice lottery.
Derian House helps children and young people whose lives are too short to make lasting happy memories.
The charity supports more than 400 families from across the area, offering respite breaks and end-of-life care.
Once you’ve registered to play, you’ll receive a welcome letter with your unique 6-digit number which will be entered into each weekly draw.
Every week, six numbers are selected at random, and if you match three or more in the correct sequence you will win one of the cash prizes on offer and a percentage supports the hospice.
To sign up visit www.derianhouse.charitylotteries.co.uk.