A Dover mother-of-four is appealing for the community to back her in raising money for her cousin with cancer.

Michelle Barnes, of Tower Hamlets Road, has been fundraising for her two-year-old cousin Ruby Laura who needs potentially life-saving treatment in America.

Ruby, who lives in Medway, is fighting neuroblastoma which is a rare cancer that develops from cells in the body called neuroblasts.

She was diagnosed only last year and has attended more than 35 hospital appointments since.

Miss Barnes said: “It has really affected my family and I just don’t know how she keeps going.

“Two in five children survive this cancer although it is rare as not enough research has been done on it.”

Her recent efforts have revolved around two of her children’s schools, Astor College for the Arts and Priory Fields Primary.

She is in the middle of organising a Ruby Red Tuesday, which will encourage each child to pledge a cash donation in exchange of wearing a red item of clothing to school.

All of Ruby’s family have contributed to a variety of events, and even had their promotional posts retweeted on Twitter by Louis Tomlinson from One Direction.

“Ruby is now a little celebrity and everyone is behind her,” she said. “I would like to get her as well known in Dover to help fundraise.”

The 31-year-old and her friend Catrina Wright, 34, of Barwick Road, claim they will shave their hair if they get enough sponsors behind them.

It will add to Ruby’s fund, which has a £500,000 target.

The pair have a hairdresser who is willing to do the shave, but they also need a venue.

• If you can help in anyway at all, call Miss Barnes on: 07743459324 or find her under Chelle Barnes on Facebook.