Three-year-old Maddison Staveley, was diagnosed with a rare cancer in October and has had several rounds of gruelling chemotherapy to shrink the massive tumour in her bladder.

Now, doctors at St James's Hospital have recommended her for proton therapy, which is only available in three places in the world – and costs up to £100,000. Although UK cancer treatments are effective, the new treatment is less risky for children.

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Maddison's mum Gemma and dad Nick – a former rugby player with Hunslet Hawks – are awaiting the decision from health chiefs in Leeds about whether it will fund the treatment at a clinic at Florida University.

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However, the family are determined to raise the money anyway. If the panel decides in their favour, the money raised will help cover the costs of the eight-week trip for the rest of the family – which they have to self-fund.

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Any surplus will be donated to St James's Hospital's children's cancer charity, Candlelighters.

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Mrs Staveley, 28, said she and her husband had been overwhelmed by the support of their friends, family and the Bramley community, who have
already raised £10,000 in pledges and donations.

"They have excelled themselves, we have been amazed," she said.

"If they (the health panel] don't decide to fund it we will have a lot of money to raise.

"But if we don't at least try then we may regret it for the rest of our lives."

A series of fundraisers for the 'Maddy Fund' have been organised in the coming weeks, including a Rugby Sevens tournament and Fun Day on Sunday.

And there has been huge support from the rugby community, with Rhinos player Jamie Jones Buchanan among those contributing.

Mrs Staveley explained that although Maddy's current treatment is working, the doses aren't strong enough to destroy her cancer completely.

"If she pulls through they want to make sure she has a better standard of life," Mrs Staveley said.

"They have given her the most intense treatment they can but if that doesn't work then there is is not much hope.

"There are still no guarantee she will beat it, but if she does, we want to make sure she has the best possible future."

The Staveleys have spent the last four months in and out of hospital and the couple spent much of the Christmas period by Maddison's bedside on Ward 10 at St James' Hospital.

The couple, who both work at Leeds Paper Recycling, have taken long term leave and have been taking turns on hospital duty and looking after their other children, Jake, 20 months and Nicholas, six.

"Everything's just on hold at the moment - it's all about Maddison," Mrs Staveley said.

"I keep thinking when we get through all this all I want t to do is spend time at home with the children.

"I never thought anything like this would happen to my family , it's such a shock.

"But we will get through it."

Maddison has a rhabdomyosarcoma, a cancer which attaches itself to muscle tissue and can wrap itself around the intestines or other organs.
It affects only three children a year in the UK.

The NHS is currently looking to buy two of its own proton therapy machines, which cost an estimated £70 to £100 million.

One will automatically go to London's Great Ormond Street Hospital, and hospitals across the country will bid for the other.


Upcoming fundraising events for the Maddy Fund are:

* Sunday, February 7, Fun Day and Rugby Sevens Tournament, Bramley Phoenix Rugby Club, Grosmont Terrace, starts 11.30am

* Sunday, Feb 28 - Musical Fundraiser, Wesley pub, Pudsey, 2pm to 8pm , with live bands, karaoke, raffle

* Friday, March 5: 'Gentleman's Dinner' at Bramley Phoenix Rugby Club, includes auction with items donated by Jamie Jones Buchanan of Leeds Rhinos and others - SOLD OUT

* Sunday, March 14 - charity fight between former Leeds footballer Lee Sharpe and Irish boxer Lee Murtagh - Oceana, Leeds, 1pm, Lee Murtagh will be fighting for the Maddy Fund.

* Ongoing - an online courier pigeon auction at Pigeon Basics, already raised £2,000

* A Facebook group started to boost the fund has almost 7,000 members with support form across the world.

* For more information or if you would like to organise your own fundraiser for the Maddison Staveley Fund, email: maddyfund@hotmail.co.uk or log on to: www.maddyfund.info