Brain tumours kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer… yet just 1% of the national spend on cancer research has been allocated to this devastating disease. Each year, over 150 children in Yorkshire are diagnosed with cancer and in September 2023, our little boy Alfie became one of those children.

Our lives have been turned upside down, especially Alfie’s. He has had 3 brain operations, 6 weeks of radiotherapy (where he went under general anaesthetic every day) and is now part way through 8 months of chemotherapy. He is doing all of this with a cheeky smile, relentless determination and very little fuss. Incredible doesn’t come close to describing him and we have every hope he will come out of this year of hell and live the happy life he so much deserves.

We want to start giving back and do our part to help find the cure and ensure the children and their families get the support they so desperately need. This year we will be completing a number of events with a hope of raising funds for our 3 key charities.

Sara will be swimming 5k in March, completing the Great North Swim in June and the Great North Run in September. Its no secret that exercise, particularly running, is her nemesis, but with Alfie as her motivation she is determined to do all three.

Phil will be doing a 40 mile walk in June between Leeds General Infirmary and The Christie in Manchester (places where Alfie has received treatment) and completing the Great North Run in September.

Our key charities are -

Brain Tumour Research – As they are dedicated to finding the cure and have ongoing research in the type Alfie was disgnosed with.

Candlelighters – They have been with us in hospital every step of the way, their mission is to bring light to every family affected by childhood cancer across Yorkshire by providing emotional, practical and financial support, as well as bringing hope, by investing in vital research to improve the outcomes and lives of children with cancer.

Any donations would be very gratefully received.