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Former Royal Marine selling medals to help fund young girl's cancer battle - even though they've never met

A former Royal Marine who served in the 2003 Iraq War is selling his war medals to help fund a four-year old’s rare cancer treatment, despite never having met young Lottie Woods-John.

After hearing about Lottie’s appeal, Matthew Goodman, felt touched by her fight and decided to list his three service medals on eBay. The 35-year old received medals for his service in Afghanistan & Northern Ireland, with the third being his Iraq campaign medal.

“As a father myself, I couldn't imagine seeing my baby daughter, Freya, suffering like that and I knew I had to help in some way” “My medals were just sitting in the drawer doing nothing, and I thought they could be used for something worthwhile They were awarded for the sacrifices I made, but I'm happy to forgo that honour if it means helping a little girl in desperate need” Matthew Goodman, former Royal Marine told The Sun

Lottie’s parents discovered their daughter had a rare form of cancer, after she became ill at the end of a family holiday in Cornwall. Doctors found a melon-sized tumour in her stomach and she was diagnosed with stage four neuroblastoma.

“When Matt contacted me to tell me he wanted to sell his medals to help towards treatment costs I was speechless.” "He risked his life for those medals and the fact that he's not even met Lottie, but wants to help keep her alive is mind-blowing” Lottie’s Mum, Charlotte, told The Sun

Photo & Story Credit: HotSpot Media / Harvey Hook