Urgently transported to Southampton for treatment, Fliquet was facing spending Christmas in hospital, and concerned about being unable to make ends meet and support her daughter, Dakota (7), while out of work.
Pictured: Fliquet Renouf and her daughter Dakota.
But the answer to both of those concerns came in the form of a JustGiving page set up by her friend, Jessica Silver.
Overnight, it raised more than £10,000, and inspired a wave of generosity from the public in the subsequent weeks.
Funds then got another significant boost on the weekend of 7 to 8 December, which saw a ‘Fliq Off to Cancer’ live music event held at the Watersplash on the Saturday.
On the Sunday, the fundraising spirit carried across to the UK where Adorned Tattoo Studio held a ‘Fliquet Fundraising Flash Day’ the following day.
Pictured: A poster for the ‘Fliq Off to Cancer’ fundraiser.
The Dorset-based parlour assembled a group of talented artists, who inked everything from intricate mandalas to skateboards, rabbits, shells, cacti and avocados.
With 100% of the profits going to Fliquet’s cause, the tattoos raised £5,000, with an extra £175 coming from donations made on the day.
The significant donations pushed the fundraising total over £30,000 – double the initial target of £15,000, and more than enough to ensure a special Christmas for Fliquet and her family, as well as providing comfort for the year ahead.
Dakota also enjoyed extra presents donated by well-wishers on 25 December.
“Being home for Christmas with my family has been more precious to me than ever before,” the mum wrote on Christmas Day in a caption on Instagram, where she has sharing regular updates about her condition and treatment.
“Thank you all for all the messages yesterday and for all the support that allowed us to have the most beautiful few days of food and family before I have my next round of chemotherapy again tomorrow.”
The island break came after a brief visit to see loved ones earlier in December was scuppered by a high temperature and neutrophenia, leading Fliquet to be held in isolation in Jersey General Hospital until she could return to the UK.
Matt Daly, ‘Fliq Off to Cancer’ co-organiser, said: “I would like to thank everyone who donated and showed support through this difficult time. The funds raised has been overwhelming and we are all truly thankful to everyone.
“It was so amazing to have Fliq home for Christmas, where she could spend this time with her wonderful family and friends. What more could we have asked for Christmas?”
Heralding the New Year in another Instagram post this week, Fliquet said 2020 will be “all about healing”, with assessments due on damage to six broken vertebrae in her spine.
She added that she also hopes to take up her passion and livelihood of tattooing again soon, but noted: “…I am still not at a stage where I can say if or when that can happen.”
Expressing her gratitude to loved ones and supporters for their help, she continued: “You guys have shown me so much love, support and positivity this year and I am eternally grateful to all of you who have supported my career when I’ve found it hard to work and been so generous to myself and my family when we have needed it over these last few months.
“Cheers heaps to you all, you’re all bloody great.”
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