A Belvedere mum-of-four battling aggressive leukaemia has praised 'the kindness of strangers' who have raised £5,500 to help make lasting memories with her young daughters.

Sharon Evans, aged 28, was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia in July, just two months after marrying her partner of five years, Leigh.

The couple, who live in Culling Road, have two-year-old daughter Rosalie between them and Mrs Evans is mum to Jodie, eight, Libby, six, and Nancy, five.

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Sharon Evans, pictured in hospital

Mrs Evans, known as Shan to friends, began feeling ill and suffering painful mouth ulcers before her wedding on May 4 but put it down to stress - the devastating diagnosis came after the young mother's wisdom tooth became infected and she was sent to A&E.

She said: "I got a call the next day asking me to go back in.

"When I walked in with Leigh there were people from Macmillan - we just sat their in silence and they called us in and said it was leukaemia.

"I was really positive at the time, I thought: 'I'll get through this.'"

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Sharon, 28, with daughters Jodie, eight, Libby, six, Nancy, five and Rosalie, two.

Mrs Evans was admitted to Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Woolwich and underwent two successful rounds of chemotherapy.

The young mum received a second devastating blow two days before Christmas when she was told the cancer had returned.

Mrs Evans was moved to Kings College Hospital on New Year's Eve and was told by doctors that chemotherapy is no longer working.

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Leigh and Sharon Evans with daughters Jodie, eight, Libby, six, Nancy, five and Rosalie, two.

Mrs Evans said: "My options are just to go home and enjoy what I can with my kids.

"Christmas would have been the first one in our house and I'd planned to make it really special.

"I haven't even seen them play with their presents."

Since hearing the family's heartbreaking news, friends have rallied round in a bid to send them to Disneyland Paris.

Leah Jacobs, 24, who has been friends with Mrs Evans for 10 years, set up a Just Giving page with the aiming of raising £1,000 on Wednesday (January 28) - but generous donors pledged almost £5,500 in just 48 hours.

She said: "Sharon has fought since July, spending much of her time in hospital away from her girls.

"It has always been a big dream of Sharon's to see her girls in Disney, so we are hoping to get her there with the girls and her husband"

Mrs Evans broke down in tears as she told News Shopper how overwhelmed she was by the kindness of strangers, her friends and family.

She said: "I can't put into words how grateful I am that so many people have given so much money to help make memories for my kids."

The Evans family plan to go to Disneyland as soon as possible and are considering using some of the money to hold a third birthday party for youngest daughter Rosalie in February.

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Sharon Evans on her wedding day in May last year

Mrs Evans added: "I want to go as soon as possible, I don't know how much longer I'll be well enough to go.

"I also want to do a photo shoot of us all together so we have some pictures to keep."

Visit Sharon's JustGiving page at: justgiving.com/yimby/shansdreamforhergirls