A PROUD father has told of his absolute admiration for his "hero" - his courageous three-year-old daughter who is fighting a rare brain cancer - and how overwhelmed the family is by the support of the Barrow and Furness community.

Families turned out in force today to a fundraising children's event organised to support Barrow's brave Emily Mather and her family.

The youngster is at the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital undergoing chemotherapy as she has ependymoma. Emily has had surgery, which removed the majority of a brain tumour, but some of the tumour remains.

Neurosurgeons from around the country have been deliberating Emily's treatment plan and she is expected to have further delicate surgery to reduce the tumour, which is on the brain stem, further.

Her family and medics want the little fighter to be able to go to America to have proton beam therapy which is not available in this country. At this stage the tumour is slightly too big for this treatment yet.

The Barrow and Furness community has taken Emily's courageous fight to their hearts and so far around £13,500 has been raised in various ways to support the family, and hopefully help them go to the US.

Unfortunately, Emily could not be at the children's fundraising event at the Cemetery Cottages, in Barrow, but her extended family and friends spoke to her and her mother Ellen Mather, 36, through FaceTime.

Emily's dad, Jonathan Mather, 34, did attend the event with his eldest daughter Katie, seven.

Mr Mather was moved to tears talking about his sheer pride for his brave girl and seeing the show of love for Emily.

Speaking to the Evening Mail on behalf of his wife and himself, he said: "Honestly, Emily is my hero. She is doing okay, the pain is settling.

"She has had her first dose of chemotherapy, but the nasty chemotherapy starts on Monday.

"Everyone is doing the best for Emily; we couldn't have got through this without everyone.

"She is getting strong enough for another surgeon to go back and remove what is left of the tumour.

"What we need is for her to go to America for the proton beam treatment. That is her best chance, that is what she needs.

"The tumour needs to be less than 4mm to qualify for proton beam; on one side the tumour is 5mm.

Mr Mather also praised big sister Katie for being a "rock", and both his and Mrs Mather's family and friends.

He said: "Emily would love this event, and we'd love to have her here.

"The support is unbelievable. We are overwhelmed by all this support from everyone."

Emily and Katie's cousin, Steph Mather, 29, was emotional after speaking to Emily on FaceTime from the event, which included favourite children's characters from Marvellous Events.

Miss Mather said: "We are totally overwhelmed by how the event has turned out. We didn't think it would be this big. The support for Emily is brilliant."

Joanne Khan Durrani, a cousin of Mrs Mather, of Barrow, but now based in Macclesfield, set up the Crowdfunding page to support the family through this heartbreaking situation so they do not have to deal with any extra stress about financial burdens.

Mrs Khan Durrani, 37, said: "This event has been brilliant.

"Emily is so brave and she keeps smiling.

"Emily's parents, and her sister Katie, have been amazing."

Stacey Holmes, an eight-year-old cousin of Emily's had her long hair cut short to raise money to help Emily.

Miss Steph Mather, a hairdraiser at Jules Hair salon gave Stacey her new hair cut. The locks will go to the Little Princess Trust and £1,000 will help Emily and her family.

Other events helping support Emily and her family include: individuals donating to the Crowdfunding page, Lake District Farmers Armstrong Family Charitable Fund donating £2,500, A1 Taxis raising £1,620 and Emily's auntie Ann Holmes holding a coffee morning at Risedale at Abbey Meadow, which generated more than £800.

On March 10, the Emily's birthday and fundraising night takes place at The Kill One, in Barrow, with live music. More events are also being planned.

Emily became ill with headaches in January; the diagnosis was quick and she was rushed to Manchester.

Both Emily and Katie were IVF miracle babies. Katie's seventh birthday was the same day her little sister had her operation.

The family benefits from the use of Ronald McDonald House at the hospital. More than £1,000 has been raised for this service through family friend Lee Holmes and his JustGiving page in Emily's name.