'Incredible' four-year-old hold bake sale for The Brain Tumour Charity

Mel Kelly, from New Ferry, started suffering headaches in September 2022 so went and got her eyes checked.

She then went to her GP and was told she had a sinus infection and Mel was prescribed medication.

Speaking to the Globe, Mel said: "I kept going back because I knew something wasn't right."

In November, the 22-year-old started losing her vision, thinking the symptoms were the result of the medication she was on.

Mel was booked in for an MRI scan on December 23 2022, travelled to Lanzarote, and upon her return was told she had to go and see an ophthalmologist.

The ophthalmologist told Mel she needed a CT scan there and then at Arrowe Park, and then Mel was told she had a brain tumour and she was blue-lighted to the Walton Centre in Liverpool.

Mel added: "It was crazy. I knew I wasn't well so I was googling symptoms and in the end, I was saying to my friends I'm convinced I've got a brain tumour."

After surgery to remove the tumour on December 23 2022, the day she was booked in to have her MRI scan, Mel was told they had removed 95% of the tumour and she is now attending regular checks and scans to monitor the 5% that is left.

Mel has had to change her job and give up karate, which she is a black belt in and she is unable to drive. 

Mel is on the road to recovery (Image: Mel Kelly)

Lauren Brady, 31, from Prenton, met Mel as a student when she worked at Bebington High School.

When Mel left school the pair stayed in touch and Mel even attended Lauren's wedding.

Mel at Lauren's wedding (Image: Mel Kelly)

The fundraiser

Lauren's daughter, Rua, 4, decided she wanted to help Mel and her "poorly head" by raising money for The Brain Tumour Charity.

Lauren said: "Rua was going to join Mel on her charity walk along the Wirral Way a couple of months ago but she was too unwell, so she wanted to raise money in a different way."

Rua is holding her bake sale on Friday (Image: Lauren Brady)

So far, Rua has raised over £300 for the charity, and her bake sale will take place at her school, St Anne's Catholic Primary School in Rock Ferry, on Friday (June 30) at 3.15pm.

"I don't think she quite understands how much she has raised", Lauren added.

"When I asked her how much she wanted to raise, she said £20, which she thinks is a massive amount of money.

"It's lovely for Rua to want to help, especially when it's someone you have known for a couple of years and because Mel became poorly at such a young age."

Mel added: "I think Rua is incredible. She's only four and she already understands the importance of raising awareness.

"To say she is going out and raising all this money when she only wanted to raise £20 is incredible."  

To donate to Rua, click here.