
LOCAL teenager Daryl Allinson has now begun urgent chemotherapy at Bristol Children’s Hospital, thanks to a mammoth fundraising campaign which has raised £90,000 in less than a month.
Family and friends started the fundraising campaign for Daryl who has a rare form of leukaemia, in order to raise £80,000-£100,000 to pay for urgent treatment.
Less than a month on, thanks to the Frome community, Daryl has now started chemotherapy and will shortly receive a bone marrow transplant from his brother.
Daryl’s aunt, Stephanie Townend, who set up the fundraising page, told the Frome Times, “It was extremely important that Daryl started treatment as soon as possible because his levels were dropping.
“Now Daryl starts five days of intense chemotherapy and then two days of rest and shortly after that, he will have the bone marrow transplant. He could then be in hospital anytime from six weeks onwards, depending on how his body reacts to the chemo and the transplant. He will be in isolation for most of the weeks because his immune system will be at zero and he will be open to infection.

“Before he went into hospital, Daryl wasn’t so smiley and chatty as he normally is. He said he was feeling nervous and anxious, but he also said he was glad that the time was here to beat his illness.”
Fundraising continues to take place in Frome, including at Selwood Academy, where Daryl goes to school. So far, staff and pupils have raised £6,000, with donations still coming in.
Headteacher, Jean Hopegood said, “It is heart-warming to see the whole community pull together in this way. We are extremely proud of our pupils, and those of our partnership schools, and the concern and compassion they have shown for Daryl during this difficult time.
“We will continue to support the family in any way we can and wish Daryl well in the next stage of his treatment. We know the family are truly grateful and overwhelmed by the tremendous support that they are receiving at this time.”
Staff, pupils and parents from Oakfield Academy also supported the fundraising campaign and raised £100 with a textile recycling bank. Chelsea Mae, a pupil at St John’s First School will be having her long locks chopped off on Tuesday 12th July at Melanie Giles Hairdressing in Frome to raise money for Daryl.
Stephanie continued, “If it wasn’t for all the people who have helped raise the money and donated, we would still be at the stage waiting for an answer from the appeal. Daryl needed this treatment immediately, so without the fundraising, none of this would have been possible.
“We are amazed and overwhelmed by the kindness of each and everyone who has donated and helped with fundraising.
“The local community, not just Frome, but all of the surrounding areas and towns, has been amazing. The family are so thankful for everyone’s kind words and generosity.”
You can donate to the appeal by visiting
https://crowdfunding.justgiving.com/stephanie-townend?utm_id=107&utm_term=BnMajAKMY