Postcards from paradise on their way to brighten up the world of cancer-stricken Jessie

For most of her short life so far, all Jessie Stocks has known is the four grey walls that surround her room in hospital.
Jessie and Macy Stocks.Jessie and Macy Stocks.
Jessie and Macy Stocks.

The brave two-year-old has spent 17 months in hospital in Sheffield receiving treatment for leukaemia, recovering from a bone marrow transplant and enduring the debilitating side-effects of chemotherapy.

But now her family has launched a special appeal which they hope will bring a little bit of the wider world into her hospital room and brighten up her and sister Macy’s days.

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They are appealing for holidaymakers to send in their postcards from around the world 
so they can create a world map of 
some of the planet’s most exotic locations in her room at Sheffield Children’s Hospital -–and their call for support has already been gathering incredible support from across the world.

Macy and Jessie Stocks.Macy and Jessie Stocks.
Macy and Jessie Stocks.

Her mother Mel, aged 37, of Dodworth, near Barnsley, said: “All my Jessie really knows are these four walls after spending 17 months in hospital, and she is only two years old.

“We want to show her there is a big wide world out there waiting for her to go see and explore with her big sister, mum and dad.”

Since the appeal went online, it has gone viral and has been seen by hundreds of thousands of people around the world, including by more than 185,000 on The Yorkshire Post’s Facebook page alone.

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Readers of the newspaper have already promised to send postcards from as far afield as Australia, Cyprus, Armenia, France, Dubai and Japan after hearing about the appeal, with the cards expected to arrive in the next few weeks.

Macy and Jessie Stocks.Macy and Jessie Stocks.
Macy and Jessie Stocks.

Mel said she was stunned at the promises of support the family have received and thanked those who have been in touch to pass on good wishes.

“I never knew if this would work when posting it, but I am overwhelmed with all the lovely messages of support and encouragement. My beautiful girls are going to be so excited and I couldn’t have done it without each and every single one of you. Thank you all.”

In addition to the postcard appeal, a fundraising page has been set up to help them make improvements to their home. The family said the home they recently moved into is in an unfit state. Jessie and her seven-year old sister Macy’s rooms need re-carpeting and decorating. Dad Sam had started the work, but everything was placed on hold when Jessie was diagnosed with leukaemia.

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Mel said: “I hardly get to see Sam and Macy. Sam rushes here after work, then home, and by then it’s almost Macy’s bedtime.

“He’s absolutely shattered. We don’t want to ask for help but the girl’s bedrooms are a real mess and we need them clean and dry at least.”

“Macy has had it rough without her mum and her sister. She deserves a proper bedroom too. Jessie has been so brave. She lights up when she sees her sister and they can’t wait to be together again.”

An appeal to raise £2,000 has so far reached £300 and is being supported by Pride of the Isle, a charity formed in memory of seven-year-old Lex Strong who died from cancer.

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Leesa Sharpe, chair of Pride of the Isle, said: “We are calling on tradespeople across the area in the hope they might spare some time to help the Stocks family. We have pledged to help get their house comfortable and give the girls princess bedrooms.”

Anyone wishing to send a postcard should send it to Jessie and Macy Stocks, c/o Sheffield Children’s Hospital, Ward M3, Western Bank, Sheffield, S10 2TH. For those interested in supporting the home improvement campaign, email [email protected].