Four weeks ago, our two year old nephew, Sidney, was diagnosed with Retinoblastoma; a rare, malignant eye cancer.

Tom, Sidney’s dad, spotted something unusual in Sidney’s left eye. It looked like his eye was cloudy when he looked to the side in the light. Laura, Sidney’s mum, took Sidney to the doctor and was given a non-urgent referral to the eye clinic.

It was then spotted at nursery when a photo was taken of Sidney in the sensory room which showed his eye much more clearly (below).

Laura made an appointment with Specsavers for the next day which is when the mass was discovered.

Specsavers referred Sidney straight to the hospital where they put drops in his eye to make the pupil large and transparent.

This is where the mass was clearly visible. By the following Monday, it was confirmed that Sidney had Retinoblastoma.

Due to the size of the mass within Sidney's eye, two weeks ago he underwent surgery to remove his eye (known as enucleation).

Fast forward to today and Sidney is doing amazingly well following his surgery and best of all Sidney's parents (Tom and Laura) received the news that he will not need to undergo chemotherapy or further treatment. Take that, Cancer!

Sidney will return to Birmingham Children’s Hospital in a few weeks to have a thorough check up under anaesthetic and will continue to have regular MRIs and check ups in Birmingham going forward. In July, Sidney will also undergo a procedure at the hospital to receive a new prosthetic eye, made specially to match his right eye.

Sidney has received outstanding medical care from professionals at Birmingham Children's Hospital, in particular from his Retinoblastoma Nurses, Consultants, Surgeon and playworkers on the ward. The care has been absolutely second to none. As well as the amazing NHS professionals, the whole family has been supported by specialists at CHECT (Childhood Eye Cancer Trust), who have been there through the most difficult times.

The last four weeks have been unimaginably difficult for the whole family. Being told your child has cancer is every parents nightmare, but sadly this is a reality for lots of families.

This is why Tom and Laura would like to give back to Birmingham Children's Hospital. No amount of words or money could express our thanks and gratitude for all they have done for Sidney, but we hope that by raising money it can go towards helping care for other families going through similar situations.

So... on to the challenge.

On 12th July, we are planning to walk up and down Moel Famau (the highest hill in the Clwydian Range) 12 times in 12 hours - roughly 40 miles in total.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moel_Famau

Every donation will be entered into a raffle to win prizes that have kindly been donated by local businesses. We have been overwhelmed with your kindness and generosity - thank you!

If anyone would like to join us for all or part of the walk please let me know - we’ll be up at the car park for around 4am and will welcome any company throughout the course of the day.

Raffle prize list:

Devafest family ticket (2 adults and 2 children) for Friday 8th August 2025 (worth £130)

Infunity100 party package for 20 children

LoveClic family photoshoot (any location within 25 mile radius of Mold, Flintshire)

Manorafon Farm Park family admission (2 adults and 2 children)

£50 KMA Tool Hire (Mold, Flintshire) voucher

£30 Herons Lake Retreat (Caerwys, Flintshire)

Face Ltd (Mold, Flintshire ) Spa Treatment voucher

Dollimore family portrait session and 10x8 print (Chester)

Mini Stunners Pamper voucher at Stunners Hair and Beauty (Mold, Flintshire)

Men’s haircut at The Gallery Barbers (Mold, Flintshire)

Cut and blow-dry by Kelly at Aura Chester

Black Mountain Honey (Nercwys, Flintshire) Gift Set

Wax Melt Hamper from Maxi Melts (Deeside)

Brow Lamination voucher at Faces by Gabby Chester

Set of lashes and defined brows by Sam at Chester Lashes

Cut and Blowdry by Hair by Sarah at Aura Chester

Ultimate Heating Solutions Boiler Service (worth £84) within local area (CH7)

Cut and blow-dry by Hayley at Aura Chester

£50 All About You Hair and Beauty voucher (Mold, Flintshire)

Scania kids playset (including toy trucks, plush toy and jigsaws)

Cut and Blowdry by Amy at Aura Chester

Creative Décor – A4 size print

Full body massage at The Functional Care Clinic Chester

Set of gel nails with Noula Grace Nails (Chester)

Full face of makeup by India Frances Makeup Chester

Any piercing by Kate at Eye Love (Chester)

Lumi Pro Skin Booster Treatment by Jemima Eliza Aesthetics (Chester)

Cut and blow-dry by Kerry at Aura Chester

Meal for 2 at the Red Lion, Penyffordd

Birthday cake by My Beespoke Bakehouse

ELIM pedicure with gel toes from Laura Davies Nail Design

Luxury afternoon tea for two people, homemade by Mo’s Flamazing Delights

Hopefully Sidney’s story can help raise awareness of Retinoblastoma. Sidney, you are our hero! 💙

We’ve included some more information below provided by CHECT (Childhood Eye Cancer Trust).

About Birmingham Children's Hospital:

At Birmingham Children’s Hospital Charity, we believe there’s always more we can do for our sick kids and that’s why we will always strive to do more for our patients and families. It’s our mission to raise the vital funds needed to make a real difference to all who use our hospital.

Your support empowers us to take innovative approaches to treating some of the sickest children in the UK. Your fundraising enables us to make our hospital feel just like home. Your donations are helping us to find new ways to treat and cure childhood diseases.