Chloe's Chemoo Cows: Charity honouring Chloe McNeil dissolves

It follows 12-years of tireless fundraising by Chloe's Chemoo Cows, which was set up after the passing of Irvine schoolgirl Chloe McNeil in 2011.

At the age of just 11, Chloe lost her fight with an inoperable and incurable brain tumour just nine months after her initial diagnosis.

Chloe McNeil (Image: Chloe's Chemoo Cows)

The charity was launched with the mission of raising awareness of the need for brain tumour research, and to raise much-needed funds to brighten the lives of children with cancer.

Chloe’s Chemoo Cows also looked to bring comfort and happiness to children and young people in a way she would have loved, inspired by Chloe's love of art, her teddy 'Chewits' - who was never far from her side in hospital - and her love of all things cow related.

The charity was set up by Chloe's heartbroken parents, Elaine and Mark, and made a significant impact in its years of operation. 

Among its generous gestures was to give a Chemoo Cow gift box to each child receiving chemotherapy at the Schiehallion Ward, first at Yorkhill Hospital in Glasgow and then at the new Royal Hospital for Children on the south side of the city.

Several fund-raising events and challenges were held over the years to raise cash for so many worthy charities and causes.

Their most recent website update stated that the charity had raised a remarkable £200,000 over the years - though it is understood this total would be much higher now.

The charity has this week announced that Chloe's Chemoo Cows has been closed down, saying it's "time to move on".

They handed over a cheque for £39,278.02 to Ayr's Whiteleys Retreat, who offer a unique countryside retreat providing vital respite for children, young people, and their families, with cancer and life altering illnesses across Scotland.

Whiteleys Retreat said they were eternally grateful for the support. (Image: Chloe's Chemoo Cows)

A further £50,000 was donated to the Rothesay-based charity Calum's Cabin, which  provides holiday homes for respite, as well as flats for families who have to spend long periods of time away from home, when their child is enduring long term cancer treatment.

These were fitting final donations, as the charity bid farewell and thanked all those who supported it over the years.

On social media, a spokesperson for the charity said: "Thank you to everyone who has suported Chloe's Chemoo Cows and for the super fund-raising effort in the last decade.

"We had never intended to set up a charity, and have always been amazed at the support from family, friends and the public in general; we are still humbled by the sheer sum of money raised in Chloe's memory.

"There has been no fund-raising over the last few years as the charity began the process to disolve.

"All remaining funds have now been distributed to very worthwhile children's cancer charities."

They added that being involved in these charitable efforts has been wonderful - though not without its challenges.

The statement continued: "The charity has been wonderful, but it's not been without its challenges, watching other families go through that same trauma is very difficult, there's only so much pain people can endure.

"So, it's time to move on. There will be no more posts, and the [Facebook] page will be deleted in the next few weeks.

"Thank you from everyone at Chloe's Chemoo Cows."

And as they made their announcement, they posted a final tribute to Chloe who "was, and still is, our everything".