The Yorkshire Mafia is supporting George Stocker, a young cancer sufferer who has helped raise over £38,000 while going through 82 weeks of gruelling treatment for a brain tumour.  He simply wanted to help the other children who he perceived were more poorly than him

George has been awarded the Stray FM Ultimate Hero of 2010 and Yorkshire Evening Post Child of Bravery 2010 for his achievements.  He is also in the final shortlist for Youngster of the Year in the Yorkshire Young Achievers Awards which is announced on 25thNovember 2010

The Yorkshire Mafia are helping him reach his £50,000 target

George's Story

George Stocker is the son of one of our Mafiosi who was diagnosed with a brain tumour in April 2008, aged 9.

He underwent over 82 weeks of treatment including multiple operations, radiotherapy, 48 weeks of chemotherapy, being physically sick over 300 times, over 500 doses of various drugs and 14 months of being fed through a tube.

George had two big ambitions during his treatment. - to play rugby again and to raise money for the Leeds-based children’s cancer charity Candlelighters and support other children with the same condition.

After discussions with his doctors and the RFU, George has been given special dispensation to restart playing rugby and started playing again in September 2009, an achievement that has brought these comments from Gavin Davies, Chairman of Wetherby Juniors.

He said: “George has been an inspiration to the whole club. Watching the way he has dealt with his illness and his determination to play again was something to behold. Twelve months ago he used to come down in his wheelchair to watch his mates. To see him back in his favourite position of hooker is something that many of us thought might not be possible. It’s an unbelievable achievement. While he is playing two years down at the moment and it may take several years for him to play in his own age group, I have no doubt he will achieve it ”

While undergoing treatment, George observed the children in the same ward and thought that many seemed ‘more poorly’ than him.  While for many children and families undergoing treatment and keeping body and soul together is an admirable achievement in itself, George decided to do something to help other children in the same situation.   He started treatment and fundraising around the same time - in October 2008.  Since then, he and his family have raised over £38,000 through a string of major fundraising events, including fun runs, sponsored swims, balls and auctions.

Tom Gooden of Pure Physio in Harrogate has worked with George almost every week over the last 18 months. His comments are as follows “ I can honestly say he is one of the most remarkable people I have ever met.  Not once over the months that I have had the privilege to know him has he complained about his plight or ever given less than 100 percent in any of our gruelling rehabilitation sessions.  It is testament to his hard work that he is able to perform at the level he does today. A good example of this is a fundraising event that happened mid-way through his treatment. George took part in a sponsored swim with his Year 5 class, who were inspired by his positive attitude and his desire to help others.  Collectively they swam 50 miles to raise nearly £3,500 for Candlelighters, and George managed to swim 18 lengths despite the awful side-effects of his medication”.   What sets George apart from other people is the number of people who have been inspired by George and taken action.  Over 700 people have either taken part in an event or donated to his fundraising efforts over the past 12 months.