Ashley Cain and girlfriend Safiyya Vorajee are setting up a charity in daughter Azaylia’s name, weeks after her death.
The eight-month-old died last month following a battle with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), a rare and aggressive form of the condition.
Before her death, the Ex On The Beach star set up a GoFundMe to raise money for treatment in Singapore, and managed to get more than £1.6million in donations – but the family were told that her condition was too rare for it to work.
In a lengthy update on the fundraiser page, they explained that they were using the money ‘positively’, by putting some towards her funeral and setting up a charity with the remaining funds.
‘To all our amazing supporters, we want to send our heartfelt thank yous to everyone who donated money, made and sent gifts, commented, prayed and showered our family with love and strength during the toughest days of our lives,’ a new post read.
‘Azaylia joined the angels in heaven on Saturday 24th April after the most courageous battle with AML. She showed her heart, strength and determination every step of the way and we are so so proud of her.
‘During her short life on earth side she brought the world together, she claimed a community – her very own pride – who made amazing things happen. The world lit up. The world talked about childhood cancer. The world showed its heart. And YOU helped to make all of that happen.
‘The amount of money needed for Azaylia’s potential treatment in Singapore was raised in just 24 hours. That money can sadly no longer be used to help Azaylia but we want to make sure it is used positively – and in Azaylia’s name.’
‘After days of emotional yet careful consideration we have decided that, firstly, we would like to use some to give Azaylia a magical and deserving send off – something that we believe you would all want to be a part of,’ the post continued.
‘Secondly, we will use the remaining money to help other children through a new charity we are setting up in Azaylia’s name. She has guided us throughout this process and it only feels right that we continue to use the platform we built together to help those in similar situations.
‘What we saw during our time fighting this monster has changed us forever and we will spend the rest of our lives spreading Azaylia’s message of hope and strength to all those who need it.
‘We will ensure she lives on until the day we are able to hold her again in paradise.’
Ashley and Safiyya added: ‘We hope you will all continue to support us and keep our Likkle Lion Azaylia’s name in your hearts and thoughts forever.
‘Together we can make a positive difference to the world and fight Childhood Cancer. #LetsGoChamp.’
At the time of writing, they have raised more than £1.6million in Azaylia’s name, with the total continuing to rise.
The little one died last month following the devastating fight with AML, and was diagnosed with the condition when she was just a few weeks old.
Ashley recently shared his heartbreak at having to plan the tot’s funeral, explaining that he was ‘on his knees’ at the thought of it.
‘Nothing could ever have prepared me for this. Some days it breaks me and I can’t even bare to do it [sic],’ he shared on his Instagram story.
‘I always thought I was thought, but making decisions on how I’m going to bury my baby is enough to bring me to my knees every single time.
‘It’s hard to make sense of anything right now, especially why did it have to happen this way!’
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