A young woman from Orwell who has raised more than £4,000 for good causes in seven years – despite having a debilitating physical condition herself – is throwing a Christmas fete in aid of a children’s cancer programme.

Royston Crow: Maureen, Bernie, Linda and Coleen Nolan with Kirsten.Maureen, Bernie, Linda and Coleen Nolan with Kirsten. (Image: Archant)

A young woman from Orwell who has raised more than £4,000 for good causes in seven years – despite having a debilitating physical condition herself – is throwing a Christmas fete in aid of a children’s cancer programme.

Kirsten Bailey, who was diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy type 2 as a child, has quite a knack for raising cash – having started when she was three years old to help pay for a specialist wheelchair.

The 26-year-old fundraised to help buy her own mobility equipment into adulthood before having a break, but when one of the members of her favourite group, the Nolans, was diagnosed with cancer it prompted her to start again.

“When Bernie Nolan was diagnosed, I was inspired to do what I could to help raise money for Breast Cancer Now,” said Kirsten.

She was even nominated as The Pride of Britain Awards’ Fundraiser of the Year and made the last four out of 10,000 people.

“It would have been great to have made it to the awards, but it was such an achievement and if I’m nominated again, you never know, it could happen one day.”

Her latest effort, the Christmas fete at Orwell’s Village Hall, is a result of meeting Fowlmere’s Angela Mulholland – whose daughter Eilish died of cancer aged four.

Money raised will go to the Beads of Courage Programme at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge, which supports children during cancer treatment.

The fete takes place on Sunday, November 27, from 11.30am to 4.15pm, and there will be 25 stalls of crafts, gifts and cakes. There are still two stalls available, email popcornandmo@hotmail.com to book your spot. Entry is £1, and all children get a gift on arrival.