On Wednesday 8th November 2023, Oliver came home from school after playing football with pain in his hip. Assuming it was muscle pain we ran him a bath only to then notice that his torso and legs were covered in a rash. He was admitted to Treehouse Ward at Stepping Hill in the early hours of Thursday and transferred to Manchester Children’s Hospital later that evening. Our worse fears were confirmed on Friday morning when we were told that Oliver had Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia. Breaking that news to him was truly heartbreaking. We spent the next 2 months on Ward 86 where Oliver received blood and platelet transfusions and a cocktail of different medicines to help him get better, some of which made him feel very poorly.

Fast forward 5 months and Oliver is doing so well. He has been incredibly brave throughout, dealing with medication and mobility challenges, needles, weeks away from home, his sister and friends. But he rarely complains and has remained positive throughout. His journey is far from over, but there is a little glimmer of the old Oliver coming back, wanting to play football again and ride his bike.

To support the amazing work of the staff on Ward 86 and outpatients/ Day Case Unit on Ward 84 at Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital and for the fantastic care and treatment Oliver has received during his time there, Oliver will be participating in a 10km sponsored bike ride around Bramhall in June with his school friends at Pownall Green. This will be a real challenge for Oliver, who was previously physically fit.

Your support means the world to him and helps raise funds for a cause that is dear to his heart. ❤️