25
Feb
Fundraiser in memory of late Harrogate teen Liz Hatton hits £100,000 target
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A fundraiser set up to raise money for vital research into a cancer that killed a Harrogate teenager has reached its target.
Former Harrogate Grammar School pupil, Liz Hatton, died aged just 17 last November.
Liz, who was described as making everyone she met feel special, was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive sarcoma called desmoplastic small round cell tumour in February 2024. She died just ten months after her diagnosis.
The condition is so rare only 12 cases are recorded each year, meaning little research into it has been done and there are no specific treatments.
Liz’s death was felt both locally and nationally, and the way she and her family faced her final months touched the lives of millions – including the royal family.
Liz’s mother, Victoria, knew the prognosis was bleak from the outset, telling the Stray Ferret the family knew there wasn’t a chance her daughter would survive from day one.
But since Liz’s death, Victoria and her family have dedicated their lives to ensure other families do not have to endure the pain they have.
She launched a fundraising page to raise £100,000, which Victoria today told the Stray Ferret has now been reached, and the money will go towards collating the limited information on the condition available into one accessible document.
The family hopes the document will then be used by physicians as more research into the condition is done, Victoria said previously.
Victoria told the Stray Ferret in December:
Once we’ve done that and we figure out where the gaps are, we hope to then fund research into treatments. We'd like to fundraise in a multitude of ways. We know friends and family are look for ways to help, so we’re hoping to raise as much money as possible, as quickly and as sustainably as possibly. We just want to make a difference long-term.
We’re better when we’re busy and being proactive. We can either sit and cry a puddle, or we do something. It feels wrong that there’s all this attention and we don’t use it for good. That’s what Liz would’ve wanted.
Victoria said at the time the money raised will be channelled through the Children’s Cancer and Leukaemia Group to specifically fund desmoplastic small round cell tumour.
The fundraiser broke its mammoth target over the weekend thanks to an event at Fewston Parochial Hall.
Liz was a hugely talented photographer and went on to capture a myriad of famous faces, including the Prince and Princess of Wales, before her death. Her photos were displayed at the two-day event and people enjoyed cake, lunch and a raffle.
Online and in-person donations at the event helped Victoria and her family to reach the £100,00 goal.
The bucket list
When Victoria shared her daughter’s photography bucket list online last May, no one could have imagined what opportunities would come Liz’s way.
During her last months, Liz photographed the recipients of an investiture at Windsor Castle in October, as well as members of the royal family, where she was also pictured embracing the Princess of Wales.
Liz was determined to make sure everyone knew how kind the princess was, Victoria previously told the Stray Ferret.
She photographed drag queens from BBC Drag Race UK; comedian Michael McIntyre; the Royal Ballet; a film premiere; the Royal Variety Show; Leeds Pride; a film set and more.
You can find a gallery of some of Liz’s photos here or on her Instagram page.
Following Liz’s death, an exhibition was held in her memory. The Stray Ferret attended the event, where her papa, Aaron Robayna Thompson, told us:
What people don’t know is the pain and suffering she went through to take these pictures. I’ve never met anyone with such strength. It’s not just how talented she was, but also her level of drive.
She never complained. She never asked, ‘why me?'.
Based on the reactions to the Stray Ferret’s stories about Liz, the way those who knew her describe her and the turnout at her exhibition in December, it is clear her death will continue to be felt by many people for a long time.
The Stray Ferret followed Liz’s story closely over the last year. You can read more about her for free by clicking here and here.
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