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In April 2010 Our 9 year old son Matthias (known as Thi) was diagnosed with a rare prostatic tumour. We spent the next 6 months undergoing rigorous treatment at The Royal Marsden and 3 months in America. On our return from America we lived a few months with Matthias in remission and we truly believed we would still have many more years with our beautiful boy. Unfortunately, the tumour began to grow again. We had to return to The Royal Marsden where he started treatment again with the view to major mutilating surgery, our last chance to save him. The tumour and chemotherapy were now running a race and it was becoming evident that the chemo wasn’t winning. By Nov 2011 the tumour had become inoperable and there was no more treatment for Matthias. Initially, just my husband and I had to realize that we would be kissing him goodbye. The appropriate time would come to tell his 3 brothers. In Nov 2011 we entered CHASE children’s Hospice to complete the last few weeks of Matthias’ life.  On 28th November Thi looked at me and said “ Mummy if I don’t eat or drink I will die wont I?” Where upon I sat with him for a precious hour saying “yes my darling. “ he responded with “but I am only 10 years old" and I said ”and you have given us the best 10 years of our lives,“  to which he responded with complete acceptance and requested what he required to give his much loved brothers. He gave all the children in the family pudsey bears saying 'I will love you Always and Forever.' 

A nurse was with us in this rather priviledged moment and she asked if there was any request that they as a charity could fulfill. I looked at her and said “There is only one thing that Thi would like and that is to meet Steven Gerrard.” With that she said “leave it with me.” A few days later an email was sent from Steven himself saying he was grateful for Thi’s support and that he was thinking of him. I pursued further e-mails with Steven in an attempt to see if he would be able to visit Thi. For my husband and I this was now about trying to complete a ten year olds life by fulfilling every dream and desire. Football and Steven Gerrard were his passion. Laptops and Ipads were wonderful gifts but nothing could compare to the moment when our boy realised Steven was by his side and holding his hand. Matthias who was three days away from dying opened his eyes and smiled a smile that is etched on all our hearts forever. On leaving, Thi managed to say “Thank you Steven” and then proceeded to clench hold of Steven’s hand.  Steven said “He wont let go of my hand”, Well….. you wouldn’t would you! Steven and his PA completed our beautiful, strong, brave and incredibly accepting boys’ journey. The sense of completion was immense and we will remain thankful to Steven and his PA forever.  Matthias died 23 December 2011. We will never stop loving Matthias as he will never stop loving us…….ALWAYS AND FOREVER.

So on the 23 Nov we will hold a twist to a black Tie do……. A Red Thi Do at Mercedes Benz World. Mercedes Benz world means more to us as a family than simply a wonderful venue. It was the last family outing we had complete and a glorious experience it was too. Our aim is to raise money to say thank you to Steven Gerrard, to help other children through SGF (Steven Gerrard Foundation) and to carry on spreading just a little bit more of Matthias’ inspirational character and love around.

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