CHARLENE COLECHIN: Family '˜humbled and touched' as fund reaches £1,000

Charlene Colechin, 18, contracted the killer disease last month and posted horrific photos of its effects last week on Facebook.

After seeing the photos, a family friend decided to set up a fund for her which has now raised £1,000 in just five days.

The woman responsible, Angie Simson, said: “I have been amazed by people’s generosity - the total just keeps going up and up.

“When I suggested it they said they didn’t want charity but I said it isn’t charity - people just want to help you.

“They have since told me how very grateful they are to everyone who has donated and say they are humbled and touched by people’s generosity.”

Angie, who is from Derby but currently lives in Cheltenham, went to school with Charlene’s mum’s partner Damian.

They have kept in touch through school reunions and Facebook, where Angie saw the photos Charlene posted from her hospital bed.

After originally aiming for £350, the fund surpassed that within a day and is well on the way to achieving its new target of £1,250.

“I am really pleased it has done so well,” she said.

“It’s really nice that so many people have donated and the money will be a big help to the family.

“They’ve been having to travel to Sheffield all the time and have had to have lots of time off work so it they will be hit financially as well as everything else.”

“Damian has told me she will be in hospital for months.”

Angie added while the family are grateful for all the support they have received, some of the interest in their story from the national press - including offers of money - has made them feel uncomfortable.

If you want to donate to Charlene’s fund visit www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/charlene-colechin.