I am raising money in honour of my nephew Renly, who recently passed away in Great Ormond Street Hospital’s PICU, aged 2 years old. Renly was diagnosed with High Risk Neuroblastoma, a rare children’s cancer, just after Christmas in 2018. Renly had developed a large tumour which was aggressive and grew quickly, resulting in numerous complications.

Once a full diagnosis had been made, Renly was given a 50/50 chance of success. There was an 18-month treatment plan, he was in more than capable hands (some of the most specialised individuals in children’s medicine in the world), and we were hopeful; Renly had beaten the odds before. He was born prematurely at 27 weeks, contracting NEC within 5-weeks of his life. This resulted in the removal of all of his large intestine and a quarter of his small one. He was hospitalised for around 4-months, and coincidentally he was readmitted to Great Ormond Street on the day that he first came home in 2016.

Renly’s light burned bright, he was an amazing little boy that fearlessly ran at life. He was a cheeky little monkey and was a fantastic brother to his awesome sister Phoebe, being inseparable and always up to something.

Unfortunately, things were not to be. Renly was ill on admittance having contracted pneumonia and received his first round of chemotherapy whilst on a ventilator. He was in considerable pain and the second cycle of chemotherapy made him constantly sick. Sadly Renly deteriorated quickly, being readmitted to Intensive Care, where he spent nearly a week and a half back on the ventilator. The toll on him was too much and he passed away on 23rd January 2019, surrounded by love.

Renly was at Great Ormond Street Hospital for just under 5 weeks. He was a brave little boy that had a huge mountain to climb for someone so small and ill. The kindness that my family experienced was out of this world and no words could ever explain how grateful we are to everyone who works there.

Please help me to support this amazing charity in honour of my little nephew, Renly.