Written by Donna Morphey

“The Cantors are a very small close family. Caron, Kenny, Shani and Tommy.

My son Alex and Tommy have been best friends forever. James Paget Hospital put Caron and I in touch when our boys were born, and they have been best friends ever since.

In September, Kenny (Caron’s husband) fell very poorly, after a month stay in James Paget Hospital, and a stay in ICU, Kenny lost his fight to sepsis after an operation - leaving the Cantors in complete turmoil. Kenny was the rock of the family, the voice of reason, the heart and soul of the Cantor’s, and losing him was the biggest shock to them all, not to mention, so sudden.

Shani (Caron’s daughter) has kept their theatre school running so Caron could take some time off. Two days after Kenny’s funeral, Tommy woke up in the middle of the night feeling poorly, with a runny nose and a shiver, Caron called the paramedics just to be sure. When Tommy arrived at JPH he was rushed into ICU with a chest infection, pneumonia and sepsis. Tommy has been on life support since.

Caron and Shani haven’t been able to grieve the loss of their beloved Kenny with the trauma of their gorgeous Tommy being so poorly. Seeing Tommy on the same machines, in the same ward and in the same hospital as Kenny was just a couple of weeks before is almost too much for anyone to handle. The trauma has really taken its toll on Caron and Shani. The family run a service called CAPPA cic (a non-for-profit organisation that provides training in the arts to children and young people with additional needs that cannot access mainstream education) and Cantors Theatre School. Between Caron and Shani, they have kept everything going while dealing this terrible situation to maintain normality for all the people they teach, reach out to and help week in week out. No family should have to go through what the Cantor’s have been through.

Alex and Tommy have a fantastic bond, they have shared many memories together and Alex cannot wait for Tommy to be better so they can listen to music and dance together. Alex and Tommy are such a giggle when they are together, they never fail to make everyone laugh. They both share a love of food… especially cake!

Please consider donating to this loving and caring family. They have contributed so much of their time and effort to the community, and now it is our turn to give back.”

Everything the Cantors have been through has had a serious financial impact and any contributions will help them greatly. So please donate what you can, whether it is a little or a lot, it will help this incredible family