HUNDREDS of helping hands have drummed up funds in honour of a six-year-old girl fighting bone cancer.
A charity Butterfly Ball has raised more than £2,000 so far, and money is still being collected.
As reported, Lucy Sutton, from Scartho, has osteosarcoma – a form of bone cancer – which was discovered behind her knee in February.
Tomorrow, she will undergo surgery for the first time, at Birmingham Royal Orthopedic Hospital.
Surgeons plan to remove parts of her leg bone behind the knee joint which is affected by the tumour and replace it with an adjustable metal joint.
A ball in her name was held at the Oaklands Hotel, in Laceby, and organised by parents Tony and Catrina Sutton, who were overwhelmed by the turnout on the night.
About 150 people donned suits and ballgowns to raise plenty of money for charities, including Clic Sargent, the Theodora Children's Trust, Pact (Parents' Association of Children with Tumours and Leukaemia), ward M3 at Sheffield Children's Hospital and Birmingham Royal Orthopedic Hospital.
And Tony cannot thank everyone enough for their support and has even had requests for the ball to take place next year.
"Catrina and I were blown away by everyone's generosity," he said.
"The whole event was a huge success but it has been down to the widespread help of so many organisations and individuals; too many to thank in one go."
An auction was held during the ball which saw people walk away with top-of-the-range prizes.
A Manchester United-signed football sold for £150 and a Pandora bracelet and earring set went under the hammer for £55.
Malcolm Rudkin attended the event with his wife and brother. He has known Lucy's mum for many years and wanted to show his support.
He said: "Lucy's enthusiasm for life is amazing, especially considering what she is going through."
As reported, 25 sweet trees were made by Patricia Collins, the owner of Crafty Alice, in St Peter's Avenue, Cleethorpes, which made table centrepieces on the night.
Each tree was funded by a Business Buddy, a group of traders from across Grimsby and Cleethorpes who meet every Tuesday at Abby's Wine Bar, Abbeygate, Grimsby.
They were all sold off on the night for £10 each, which added £250 to the fundraising pot.
Tony added: "Lucy is braver than all of us. She is keeping us all going by her sheer determination."
