HADLEIGH: There were smiles all round as a company presented little survivor Rubi-May Mason with a dream holiday to Walt Disney World.

The five-year-old has been through so much over the past year, battling a rare form of cancer which doctors discovered just as she started her first few days at school.

But she is now on the road to recovery, and thanks to the fantastic fundraising efforts of a Hadleigh-based company, where Rubi-May’s grandfather worked for 25 years, she will get the chance to take a dream holiday to Florida.

Staff at Faithfull Floor Coverings, based at Lady Lane Industrial Estate, Hadleigh, presented Rubi-May and her parents, Maxine and Paul, with a cheque for �7,500.

Commercial manager Dave Roberts said: “We started it because Rubi-May’s grandad worked for us and when we found out about her being ill, we thought it would be a good idea to raise money for something close to home.

“We just wanted to support the family because they have gone through quite a bit over the last year, so we wanted them to have a well-earned break and a good family holiday together, with no nurses and doctors or anything like that.”

The firm has been raising money since October. One employee and his daughter took on a sponsored skydive, while four staff members from the Hadleigh branch completed the Three Peaks Challenge

The firm’s parent company, Headlam, which is based in Glasgow, even pitched in money to the fundraising effort.

Dad Paul, 37, said: “I didn’t really know what to say to be honest, because we were so surprised and shocked. It was a bit overwhelming because the amount of money they raised was amazing. I thanked them all but you never feel like you’ve said enough, especially because I hardly know most of the people there. It really was quite a big effort from them all and we really appreciate it.”

Rubi-May’s grandfather, Stephen Mason, worked at the plant for 25 years until he retired in April, and her great-uncle, Alan Grimsey, still works at the company.

The family have decided they will wait until next spring to take the holiday, so that Rubi-May is well enough to make the most of it.

n Do you know of a brave child who is battling through a serious illness. Write to Your Letters, The Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or send an e-mail to eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk