Fundraiser for young Weymouth mum who is now cancer-free

Ollie Louise Isbel said she was told ‘it’s good to lose weight after having a baby’ following the birth of her daughter - as she fought for a diagnosis that later turned out to be cancer.

It took more than 12 weeks and multiple visits to Ollie's GP and to A&E to diagnose her with diffuse large B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (DLBCL).

After chemotherapy and long stays in hospital, the 23-year-old has now received the all clear from cancer and is looking forward to a magical Christmas with her daughter Harper.

Ollie and Harper (Image: Ollie Isbel)

To ensure mother and daughter have the best Christmas ever, Sophie Gardiner, manager of the Boot Inn in Weymouth, has set up a fundraiser for the pair.

Sophie became aware of Ollie’s story after reading about it in the Dorset Echo when she was fundraising for the Teenage Cancer Trust.

She said: “I just felt so awful and I thought 'what can we do'.”

Sophie Gardiner, manager of The Boot Inn, holding baby Harper and Ollie-Lou Isbel (Image: The Boot Inn)

It was at that point that Sophie donated £200 on behalf of the pub to the fundraiser and then Ollie got in touch to say thank you.

Sophie added: “We started talking and we thought that we could raise some money for Ollie’s Christmas so that she can have a nice time with her daughter.

“If we raise more, she can make some memories with her daughter so that she doesn’t feel like she has missed out on much – she can relax and take her daughter on holiday.”

Ollie even popped down to the Boot Inn with Harper for a couple of hours to meet Sophie.

Ollie and Harper (Image: Ollie Isbel)

Ollie said: “Sophie has been absolutely incredible. I just want to give Harper the best Christmas.”

The Boot has already donated £500 to the fundraiser to help Ollie this Christmas as she is still recovering and unable to work.

The Boot hosts a free meat draw every Sunday for locals as a way to say ‘thank you’ to them and this time they asked for donations to the fundraiser and managed to raise an additional £157.

Ollie has been making the most of the time that she is now able to spend with Harper and has been enjoying snuggling up on the sofa and watching her favourite film, the Polar Express.

Ollie and Harper (Image: Ollie Isbel)

She said: “I just want to do everything with Harper and I think she’s going to love Christmas this year.

If you would like to donate to the fundraiser to help Ollie and Harper have a magical Christmas, visit: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/Ollieisbell?utm_term=8kdAGeX2Z&fbclid=IwAR2WTXi6CQ2E9m4Te_-krjVC8fl6PYEL9weNRgAxOm3YPPoCyJpGbQYJJgs.