Ashley Cain and Safiyya Vorajee reveal they’re setting up a charity in Azaylia’s name with the £1.6m raised by fans
BABY Azaylia's parents Ashley Cain and Safiyya Vorajee have revealed they are using the £1.6million raised by generous fans to set up a charity in her name.
The heartbroken couple say they have been forever changed by the "monster" that leukaemia-stricken Azaylia bravely fought against before it took her life at eight months old.
They plan to use the fundraising cash - most of which was raised in 24 hours - on helping others through charity work, as well as giving Azaylia the "magical" send-off she deserves.
In a statement released on Azaylia's page today, Ashley and Safiyya said: "To all our amazing supporters, we wanted to - firstly - send our heartfelt thank you 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.
"Azaylia joined the angels in heaven on Saturday, April 24, 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 came together to make amazing things happen. The world lit up. The world talked about childhood cancer. The world showed it 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.
"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 have been left devastated by their daughter's death.
In her short life, eight-month-old Azaylia touched millions across the world throughout her battle with an aggressive form of leukaemia.
There were global landmark tributes, millions raised by generous fans and celebrity supporters who backed the family throughout.
Niagara Falls, the Blackpool Tower and Toronto’s CN Tower all turned orange for Azaylia as a sign of strength and unity in the family's darkest hours.
"Let's go champ" became a phrase used by all to encourage Azaylia's courageous fight to carry on.
Announcing her death, Ashley wrote in a heartbreaking social media post: "Rest in paradise princess. I will always hold you in my heart until I can hold you again in heaven."
Safiyya added: "You are my Angel my heartbeat my soul, RIP my precious baby, you will always be with me like a handprint on my heart."
Azaylia was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia eight weeks after she was born last August.
Since then, Ashley, who has appeared on MTV’s Ex On The Beach, and Saffiya, 23, devoted themselves to filling the precious time they had left with their only child with love and happiness - as well as spreading awareness.
In a desperate search for bone marrow donors, Ashley and Saffiya ended up encouraging more than 80,000 people to sign up to the register in one weekend.
Her battle also inspired celebrities to clap on their doorsteps, just like the public did during the first lockdown for our NHS heroes.
Stars including Loose Women’s Stacey Solomon and ex-footballer Peter Crouch and wife Abbey Clancy joined the family’s call for a “memory they’d never forget” with a nationwide clap.
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Even Hollywood A-listers like actor Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson have been touched by Azaylia's story. He sent a personal video message in which he said: “You tell that little lion, let’s go champ and stay strong.”
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Azaylia's parents ended today's statement by saying: "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."