Mum of terminally ill child wants to thank Virgin Trains staff for paying for taxi home from Crewe after they were left stranded

Six-year-old Kaycee Bradshaw, from Sutton, is battling Batten Disease, a neurological condition that has affected her ability to walk, talk and will lead to childhood dementia.

Her family embark on weekly journeys to Great Ormond Street Hospital for ongoing enzyme treatment which is halting the effects of the disease.

However yesterday, Tuesday, January 15, as they were on their usual train home from London Euston to Runcorn after treatment, their train was forced to stop at Crewe – leaving wheelchair bound Kaycee and her parents stranded at the station.

Kaycee yesterday after they were let into the first class waiting room

However, Virgin Trains staff, and on duty police came to the rescue.

Claire Riley, 45, said: "It seems such a small thing but when you are the parent of a terminally ill child these things are really serious.

"We already feel all panicky after Kaycee gets an infusion as we have to check her all the time for temperature and changes, so when we heard the announcement that the train was stopping and we had to all get off I went into a panic.

"Kaycee is in a wheelchair, so the replacement buses they put on would not work for Kaycee as we can't get it on a bus.

"It was absolutely throwing it down and we were stranded at a station we've never got off at, with nowhere to get her out of the rain.

"No taxis big enough would take us back to Runcorn Station where our car was.

"I was just in tears and so stressed worrying about Kaycee, plus we were due to give her her medication as well."

However, Claire's husband Greg spoke to on duty police officers, who put them in touch with a man at the station who works for Virgin Trains.

Claire added: "I didn't realise until we were there how far Crewe was from Runcorn, as it's just another stop to me, but when I realised I was stressed about the cost.

"The kind police officers and lovely man from Virgin opened up the first class waiting room and ordered a taxi all paid for by Virgin.

Kaycee after her four-hour infusion to stabilise her symptoms

"I couldn't believe it, I could have kissed that man and the taxi man when I saw him, who they had got to come and get us from Stoke.

"I was so stressed at the time that I didn't get any names.

"If it was round the corner I'd nip in with Kaycee and a box of chocolates because it was a massive deal.

"I just want to thank him and Virgin for what they have done and hopefully find out who they are so I can thank them myself."