WHEN tragedy hit Abbey Smith's friends she was determined to do what she could to help them.

She grew up with Donna Stone's family and saw their lives turned upside down when Donna's husband Jason was struck down with small cell lung cancer.

It spread to his brain and he died in March 2018.

His daughter Olivia, 13, struggled badly in the wake of his death and Donna had to give up work to care for her.

And now the family has been dealt a devastating double blow with the news Olivia has a high grade malignant brain tumour which is inoperable and terminal.

Abbey said: “I’ve grown up with them so it’s a horrible situation for anyone to go through but I think because I know them so well I want to help them in any way I can, I just wanted to do something.”

Inspired by other fundraisers who have raised more than £10,000 for the family, she is organising a gig at The Messenger with her brother Daniel and friend Khia Rendall.

Local bands will join her in performing at the show to raise even more.

Abbey, 21, said: “It has come as quite a shock so I wanted to help them out a little bit.

“It has been incredible we have had some donations for the raffle already, more than I thought we would have.

“Maybe others will not relate as such but be able to put themselves in their shoes and want to help out.”

“I haven’t even thought about how much I want to raise but there’s another fundraiser for them and they have managed to raise over £10,000.

“I think anything will help massively but I just haven’t set a target for it.

“The family can choose to use it for themselves or if they want to put it towards anything like a charity I don’t mind I just want to help where I can.”

A Just Giving page was set up earlier this month for Donna and her family with a target of £1,000.

But the target was smashed as more than £11,000 was raised by 324 supporters.

Gig 4 Liv is being staged at the pub in Covingham Drive on March 28 between 4pm and 11.30pm.