A CARING 12-year-old girl has inspired an online fundraising campaign to support her dad as he battles cancer.

Brooke Carter asked her aunt if she could set-up a Go Fund Me page to help ease financial concerns over Christmas.

And the response from the public has been overwhelming, with more than £3,000 donated so far.

Brooke’s father, Stuart Carter, was diagnosed with stage 4 bowel cancer on October 31.

The 37-year-old had been suffering from abdominal pain and cramps for several weeks.

Initially the symptoms were attributed to constipation and then a suspected infection, and he was prescribed antibiotics. But his condition worsened.

“He wasn’t eating or drinking and was vomiting,” says his wife, Hayley, 31.

“Further tests were carried out and it was then he was diagnosed with stage 4 bowel cancer.

“It was devastating, the worst news. Because of the Covid restrictions Stuart was on his own when he received the diagnosis and he just couldn’t ring me.”

Stuart will now undergo six months of chemotherapy, followed by surgery to remove the tumour. There will then be another course of chemo.

The warehouse operative is no longer working and Hayley has given-up her job as a dinner lady at Beckfoot Oakbank School to help look after him.

She said she was “hugely proud” of Brooke, the eldest of five children, for initiating the fundraising campaign.

The couple – of Broomhill Drive, Keighley – also have daughters Brogan, nine; Amelia, seven, and Adalyn, five, and two-year-old son Grayson.

“Coming up to Christmas Stuart would normally do a lot of overtime to provide over Christmastime but of course he won’t be this year,” says Hayley.

“Brooke said she didn’t want her dad to worry about anything. She’s so thoughtful and very positive, I’m hugely proud of her.”

The fundraising page – at gf.me/u/y8fsdh – had a target of £2,000 but has smashed through that.

“The support we have received has been incredible and we are so grateful to everybody,” said Hayley.

“It will be difficult financially with neither of us working and bills to pay and expenses related to the treatment, so the funds will be a huge help as we get through the next few months.

“But the wider support, from so many people, has also been fantastic and we can’t thank them enough.

“The children’s schools have been great and everyone has really rallied round.

“The overwhelming kindness and understanding shown by so many has been a real comfort.”

Those thanks are echoed by Brooke’s aunt, Lian Bell, who set-up the Go Fund Me page for her niece. “We would like to thank all the wonderful people of Keighley, “ she said.