Appeal raises more than £6,000 in two days for Kesgrave teen who lost leg to cancer

Kim Sale, Kesgrave High School pupil who had her right leg amputated due to a cancerous tumour (Image: Archant)

Around £20,000 is needed to buy Kim the silicon prosthetic leg, which looks more lifelike than those provided on the NHS. And a number of fundraising events have already been launched in a huge show of support by the Kesgrave community.

Zumba instructor Gabby Reeve will be donating £2 from every paying customer to her class on November 11 to Kim’s cause, while Chris Hunt will complete the Colchester Paras’ 10 run carrying 40lbs on his back.

Kesgrave parkrun has pledged its support, friends have organised a Santa dash at the Millennium sports ground on December 6 and the Enigma Cheerleading Academy is holding a family Christmas party at Gresham’s Sports and Social Club on December 20.

Kim’s mother, Kellie Thorndyke, said: “People’s generosity is overwhelming. We know Kesgrave is a fantastic community, we have got offers coming in of people wanting to help.”

Kim Sale, a Kesgrave High School pupil who had her leg amputated due to a cancerous tumour, with friends Yasmin Hardwicke, Katie Catling and Tayler Evans (Image: Archant)

Mrs Thorndyke was at work when she received the first dreaded call telling her that pains in her daughter’s leg were the result of a tumour, rather than a torn muscle as initially thought.

“I remember screaming and I started shaking,” she said. “My blood just ran cold.

“It took me a while to figure out how I was going to tell her. It was an agonising time, just waiting for the phone to ring.

“Naturally her first question was ‘am I going to die?’ Then ‘am I going to lose my hair?’

“Everybody is amazed at how strong she has been.”

To make a donation, visit https://crowdfunding.justgiving.com/KimberleySale

To follow Kim’s story on Facebook, visit www.facebook.com/kimyoullneverwalkalone/