Reward for return of stolen Maisie snaps

SOME pictures on the missing camera recall Maisie’s meeting with Sir Ian Botham — similar to the one shown here

AN anonymous benefactor has offered a substantial reward to help a five-year-old cancer survivor to enjoy a Christmas miracle.

The man is willing to pay for the safe return of a mobile phone containing photographs and videos of happier moments during Maisie Whitworth’s four-year battle against leukaemia.

The man was touched by an appeal by Maisie and her mum Lisa for the return of the phone, a white Samsung S3, or its memory card, stolen the previous Monday at the Royal Oldham Hospital.

The man - who doesn’t know the family - said: “If I can buy it back it off someone, I will.

“That phone obviously means a lot to Maisie and her mum because of the photos and videos stored on it.

“I understand how they feel because we had our camera stolen containing pictures of our grandson and we were obviously upset. But for them it must be worse, because the happy times meant so much.

He added: “It must be heartbreaking for them. If I can help I will — I think I’m just a big softie!”

The photos on the phone include pictures of Maisie during a trip to Lapland, organised by the Wish Upon a Star charity as well as snaps taken when she met Sir Ian Botham in April.

Maisie’s mum, Lisa, of Royton, said: “I feel really touched by this man’s offer. It’s really generous for someone to do that for us, especially when he doesn’t know us. I’m just overwhelmed that someone would do that for us.”

Email us at news@oldham-chronicle.co.uk with information and we will pass your details to the donor.