Ashley Cain and Safiyya Vorajee have revealed their plans to help sick children in the name of their late daughter, Azaylia Diamond Cain, who sadly passed away in April following her battle with acute myeloid leukemia.
Prior to launching The Azaylia Foundation on Tuesday, the couple have spoken about how they wish to help other parents going through a similar situation and how they can cope with the symptoms that come with it.
The former footballer and his 34-year-old partner have also promised to fight in their late daughter's name to support families impacted by the devastating illness.
Speaking to The Sun, 30-year-old Ashley explained that he and Safiyya now have a "new purpose in life" as they begin to help other children in honour of their late child.
"This will be the most traumatic and terrible journey for so many people," the Ex on the Beach star explained.
"We want to honour Azaylia’s legacy to help others. This is about getting children and their families through the worst time of their lives.These cancers are only rare because no one is talking about them and raising awareness."
The doting dad continued, adding: "We have a new purpose in life. Helping other children in Azaylia’s name means more to us than the air in our lungs."
Azaylia sadly lost her battle with leukemia on April 25 at just eight-months-old.
Prior to her heartbreaking death, the former Coventry FC footballer star set up a GoFundMe to raise money for treatment in Singapore, and managed to get more than £1.6million in donations – but sadly, the family were told that her condition was too rare for it to work.
Ashley and Safiyya plan to use the money to help other parents going through a similar experience to what they endured.
"We want to be able to provide support for these children and their families," the doting dad explained.
"We know others won’t be as fortunate in their networks as we are, and these children need financial support."
"We haven’t taken a penny of this money personally. We will use it instead to help others less fortunate and their children," the 30-year-old added.
In July, Ashley was forced to hit back at cruel trolls who falsely accused him and his grieving partner of spending the cash raised thanks to the fundraiser.
“Stop deleting comments when people ask you why you aren’t returning the 1.5 million pounds you asked for despite driving supercars continuously and always having designer products,” one uninformed troll told the dad on social media.
Ashley took the time to set the record straight, telling the cruel commenter that he and partner Safiyya are working to set up a charity in Azaylia’s name using the money raised.
“Thank you for your concern. I haven’t deleted any comments. In fact today I thought it would be beneficial to actually reply back to some people,” the former footballer began in his reply.
“I actually got rid of my car to support me and my family through extra outgoings being in hospital. And I haven’t been driving round in any super cards [sic] as I’ve been too busy taking care of my daughter and recently mourning her passing,” he added.
Proving the cold-hearted trolls to be incorrect, The Azaylia Foundation launched on Tuesday 31 August 2021.
An instagram account for the non-profit organisation already has 129,000 followers.
