When the worst brings out the best in us

A friend of the McGahy family set up a fundraising page to help the family – which operates on a single wage – to get through the next few weeks. The initial target was just £5,000.

Within a few hours the amount pledged had hit an amazing £15,000 and within 48 hours it had doubled. As of yesterday lunchtime, more than 1,100 islanders had contributed £40,000.

‘You always think things like this happen to other people. It’s been incredible to see the community get behind this gorgeous family,’ said the fund organiser.

The family told us yesterday that they were amazed and grateful at how the community had rallied around their plight.

‘People just want to help and we are bowled over at how much it has raised and the generosity of people, many of whom we don’t even know.’ One anonymous donor contributed £5,000.

We can only imagine the fear and uncertainty that the diagnosis has brought on the family, as Romy could be facing a year of treatments in hospital in Southampton. As they said themselves: ‘Our worlds have turned upside down.’

The family have also thanked both Health and Social Care, through its nurses on Frossard Ward, for their assistance in securing treatment in Southampton, and the support of the Priaulx Premature Baby Foundation, in the news for entirely different reasons earlier in the week, which was able to offer a flat near the hospital for the family’s use.

‘The road ahead is going to be long and the money raised will help us to be with her and try to make life as normal as possible for her and her baby sister,’ said mum Helen.

We would all wish to do more. Mostly we would wish that four-year-old Romy recovers quickly and completely. But while that is out of our control, we look to do the next best thing.

And in doing so, we show Guernsey, and the strength of our community, at its best.