We are so delighted that Matthew is running the London Marathon for The Henry Gloag Fund.

Henry was six years old when he died from Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia and the fund was set up in his memory to raise money specifically for research into childhood leukaemia via Children’s Cancer and Leukaemia Group (CCLG).

Henry was a gorgeous little boy who absolutely loved life! He was born with Downs Syndrome but that did not define him….what made Henry adorable was his character and the way that he charmed anyone who met him. He prospered at school and relished any learning with a particular love of books and musicals. His cheeky personality quite often meant that he was the star of the show and he greeted everyone with a big smile or a special hug.

When he became unwell it was a huge shock to receive his diagnosis and hear the words ‘your child has cancer’.

His prognosis was good but Henry would need three years of treatment to fight the leukaemia and so the rounds of chemotherapy began. The treatment was brutal and seeing your little boy go through it was very distressing. He was so brave and coped so well with everything that was thrown at him but unfortunately his little body could take no more.

The heartbreak of loosing a child is something that will never leave me and is the reason that we support this vital work into kinder and more effective treatments for children with cancer.

Henry loved to take part in his school Sports Days and although he always came last in his races he got the biggest cheer from everyone. I would like to say thank you for continuing to cheer him on because this fund makes me very proud of all that he achieved not only in his short life but also afterwards with his legacy of helping other children with cancer.

I would also like to say a big thank you to Matthew for putting in the training, and putting his best foot forward to support Henry and his fund. Although they never met, I know that they would have been great friends and Henry will be cheering him along on the 27th April for sure!

All donations to The Henry Gloag Fund are very gratefully received.

Jill Jenkinson (Henry’s Mum) xx