AN INSPIRATIONAL schoolgirl diagnosed with terminal cancer has vowed to raise at least £5,000 for charity.

Rebecca Dalgleish, from Kingston, near North Berwick, is aiming to raise the money for Children’s Hospice Association Scotland (CHAS) after receiving the devastating news earlier this month.

The 17-year-old was diagnosed with a malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumour (MPNST) late last June.

An MPNST is a form of cancer of the connective tissue surrounding nerves.

Doctors have told her she has “at least” six months – “but it will not be years” – to live and the teenager has drawn up a list of fundraisers, ranging from bag packing to bungee jumping.

She said: “I decided a couple of days after I was told it was terminal to do something.

“I looked at [children’s cancer sufferer and campaigner] Stephen Sutton [who died last year] and how he decided to make the most of his life.

“We decided to do a ceilidh, a coffee morning, bag packing, a film night and a concert. And I’ve got some people running for me and for CHAS.

“I’m also going to do a bungee jump and maybe a sky dive.

“I’m not particularly good with heights but when you go up and do these things it’s best you don’t think about it and you just do it.” It is just under 12 months since the former Law Primary pupil first experienced worrying symptoms. The North Berwick High School S6 pupil went to her GP in the town last April.

Rebecca said: “I was experiencing really bad pains in my right knee and foot.

“I went to the doctors and they really did not know what was wrong.

“I went to see consultants, who said it was not good news and went to the Sick Kids in Edinburgh, where they did tests and an MRI.

“They found a lump on my pelvis in June. I was in hospital for 11 weeks and they did three chemotherapy sessions.

“I had chemotherapy for three days every three weeks but unfortunately I had a scan and it was not great; the tumour had still grown. I had a month and then had to go home and they put me on radiotherapy.” However, far from being downbeat, Rebecca has set herself a challenge.

An online account encouraging people to make a donation was set up last Tuesday and, in little more than a week, she has passed the halfway mark.

She said: “Originally, I said £10,000 but my mum said I would never get to that!” Rebecca’s mum, Pam, was proud of her daughter’s determination and fight.

She said: “She has been absolutely tremendous with accepting her diagnosis and wanting to do something positive.

“She refuses to just curl up and she has been really remarkable.

“She has always been a girl who wants to make a difference and do fundraising.But this is a biggie and it has been a bit overwhelming for me to go out and promote events.” Laura Campbell, fundraiser for CHAS, said: “Rebecca is a true inspiration to us all. The amount of money she’s already raised for CHAS is fantastic and we hope she has a great time doing the skydiving and bungee jumping challenges!

“The funds will go towards helping us provide specialised care to babies, children and young adults in similar situations to Rebecca. We’re honoured that she’s valued the support we’ve given to her and her family so much she’s been encouraged to fundraise herself. We’d like to say a big thank you and good luck.” To make a donation to the cause, visit www.justgiving.com/Rebecca-Dalgleish