A community across East Sussex has rallied to support a two-year-old girl from Bexhill following her diagnosis with a brain tumour, raising thousands of pounds to assist her family with the costs of her ongoing care.
Olivia was just 17 months old when she was diagnosed with the condition a year ago. Since then, what began as a single fundraising effort has grown into a widespread network of support involving local businesses, residents, and endurance challenges.
Tony Wadsworth, who spearheaded the recent fundraising drive, completed a 24-hour Snowdon challenge on 29 August 2026. His efforts, combined with community events, have raised £8,167 to be shared between Olivia’s family and six-year-old Nala, from Alnwick, who is living with Metachromatic Leukodystrophy (MLD).
Olivia’s mother, Amy Bolt, said the scale of the response had exceeded all expectations. She described the movement as having evolved from one man’s personal mission into an “entire village” of people dedicated to helping the two young girls.
Community-wide fundraising
The fundraising campaign gained significant momentum through a series of events hosted at Hastings venues. The North Star and The Dolphin pubs were central to the efforts, hosting gatherings and collections to bolster the total throughout August.
The money raised is intended to help the families manage the significant practical and financial pressures that accompany long-term childhood illness. For Olivia’s family in Bexhill, this includes travel to specialist appointments and the various costs associated with her treatment regime.
The conclusion of the Snowdon challenge coincided with the start of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month in September, a period used by charities to highlight the impact of diagnoses on young children and their families.
Donations can still be made via the official GoFundMe page, which remains active to support the ongoing needs of both Olivia and Nala.
While the physical challenge of climbing Snowdon has concluded, the support network remains active. Amy Bolt noted that the “village” of support shows no signs of slowing down as Olivia continues her treatment.
