Galway GAA club asks for support as local girl who should be starting school fighting brain tumour

Maddie Caulfield, whose mam and dad Jessica and Don are involved in Ballinasloe GAA, is currently facing the most difficult battle any child can face.

Ballinasloe GAA is asking their club community to “come together and support this family during this incredibly challenging time” urging people to donate to a GoFundMe launched for Maddie, no matter how small the contribution.

The Ballinasloe girl was due to start Junior Infants this month but instead her family’s world has been turned upside down - Maddie has been diagnosed with medulloblastoma, a type of brain tumour.

Her parents describe Maddie as the “happiest, sweetest little girl” who brings so much joy to her family.

They said: “She loves being outside, playing with her brother and three sisters, riding her scooter and watching Peppa Pig.

“While she should be worrying about which colour crayon to use and playing with her dolls, Maddie is about to begin an incredibly difficult journey.

“This means months of hospital appointments, travelling, overnight stays and treatment, whilst trying to keep life as normal as possible for Maddie and her four siblings.

“From late September, Maddie will travel to Manchester for six weeks of proton radiotherapy. She will need 30 sessions, each under general anaesthetic. This will be followed with up to nine months of chemotherapy in Crumlin.”

The financial and practical impact on her parents will be huge which is why close friends of the family have set up a GoFundMe for Maddie and her family.

The fundraiser says: “The challenge of accommodation and travel expenses is a burden that they should not have to carry.

“While we cannot make Maddie’s treatment journey easier medically, we can help take away some of the financial worry.

“We want Maddie’s parents to be able to concentrate on what matters most, being there for their little girl.

“Most of all we want Maddie to get through this and get back to being her funny, loving, mischievous self, eating pancakes and Nutella sandwiches.”

They finished by saying: “We are hoping to raise funds to help erase some of the pressure over the coming year.

“If you are able to donate, every single contribution will make a difference and if you cannot donate, please don’t worry. Sharing Maddie’s story and keeping her in your thoughts and prayers means more than we can say.”