Community spirit has helped to raise more than £18,500 in just 30 days to buy a prosthetic leg for a Suffolk teenager who had treatment for cancer earlier this year.

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

Kesgrave High School pupil Kim Sale, 14, made the difficult decision to have her right leg amputated above the knee in October after a tumour became wrapped around a neuro-vascular bundle of veins, nerves and arteries in her leg. She was diagnosed with Ewing Sarcoma, a rare form of cancer, in May.

Kim’s family launched a fundraising bid to raise £20,000 for a silicone prosthetic leg, more natural looking than those available on the NHS. However, the initial cost was underestimated, and the family are continuing to fundraise in their community.

The Jude Brady Foundation has recently pledged its support to the cause, and will donate 10% of the cost of a prosthetic leg and for a specialist ‘blade’ which will allow Kim to continue playing sports.

Sharon Cudworth, a family friend of Kim’s and a member of the fundraising team, said: “We have all been totally overwhelmed with the support and community spirit that Kesgrave has once again shown. All of the local schools, both pubs and individuals have pulled together to raise funds in different ways.”

Last week, Kesgrave High School raised £4,000 for Kim’s fund through a non-uniform day, and on Sunday a Santa Dash is being held at the Millennium Sports Ground at 1.30pm to raise further funds.

The original crowd funding page came to a close on November 29 with pledges totalling £18,500.

Donations can now be made by texting YNWA01 and the amount without a space (for example YNWA01£1) to 70070.