26705-17Friends and family of schoolgirl Abigail Taylor-Silk, who is suffering from Hodgkins Lymphoma, had battled for months to raise the £6,000 needed to fund the once-in-a-lifetime trip to Florida.

But additional insurance costs and a deterioration in the 14-year-old's condition have meant the family from Wroughton have had to axe the 10-day trip planned for April.

Instead the family, who live in St Andrew's Close, will travel to Euro- Disney in Paris for a five-day trip next week.

Mum Denise, 40, said Abigail was disappointed but remained determined to make the trip memorable.

"It was going to cost us £3,500 in insurance just for Abigail," said Mrs Taylor-Silk.

"We could not justify that amount of money so we are going to Euro- Disney instead.

"This was Abigail's choice she got to the point when she just wanted a break after everything that she has gone through."

Parts of her liver affected by the disease were removed before Christ-mas.

But during the operation surgeons found that the cancer had spread.

Now the brave Ridgeway School pupil faces further tests to see if she is eligible for a bone marrow transplant.

Mrs Taylor-Silk added: "We're being referred to Bristol so we'll just have to wait and see.

"Abigail is being brilliant about it. Children can be remarkable.

"She is not dwelling on things she is determined to just get on with life as much as she can.

"She has returned to school after the Christmas holidays and she's getting on fine."

Since the youngster's illness was diagnosed in April 2002 she has endured scans and operations at both Great Western Hospital and Oxford's John Radcliffe hospital.

The fundraising campaign, which included sponsored walks, was so successful that organisers set-up a charity, called Smile, to help other needy children in the local community.