THE mother of inspiration Tia Taggart, who is battling three rare forms of cancer, was left feeling ‘very emotional’ after a 24-hour fundraising in her name.

Little Tia, six, is undergoing a gruelling course of chemotherapy for tumours in her pelvis and legs as well as rounds of radiotherapy to treat her bone and lung cancers.

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A ‘treadmill-athon’ was organised at the Tesco in Wyre Street, Padiham and eight firefighters from Padiham Fire Station took turns to run for 24 hours straight to raise money for Tia’s treatment.

The community rallied to the family’s aid and dozens of people turned out to cheer on and support the firefighters, who ran in full kit with their heavy breathing equipment on.

Gillian, 37, Tia’s mum said she was absolutely thrilled to see everyone come together for her daughter.

She said: “I was very emotional after it was all over.

“The whole town has got behind Tia and it has been so amazing to see people wanting to help her.

“Tia loved every minute of it, we came down to see the start and the end of the run and she was loving it.

“She’s become a little celebrity now in the town, there can’t be many people who have not heard of her by now.”

Tia was told she was suffering from a rare Ewings Sarcoma as well as bone and lung cancers after several visits to the GP and hospital with concerning growing pains.

The treatment will leave the Padiham St John the Baptist Primary School pupil infertile, with doctors warning her heartbroken parents the cancers have a 50 per cent chance of returning even if they are wiped out.

The total amount of money raised is still being counted but Mrs Taggart said the target of £1,500 has been well and truly broken.

Leanne Barnes, 32, who’s husband took part in the run said her son Harris, seven, and Tia are very good friends.

She said: “I’m so happy that lots of money has been raised for little Tia. Harris and Tia get on very well and he talks about her every day and he said one day they will get married.”

Christian Lopez, 32, a firefighter at Padiham fire station, said: “I am absolutely shattered.

“I was the last guy to run and we all did the last part of it as a sprint finish. Tia deserves every penny we’ve raised and all the effort everyone has put in has been incredible.”

To donate, visit crowdfunding.justgiving.com/Tia-Taggert.