Sadly we lost our daughter in 2014 at the age of 16 following an 18-month battle with osteosarcoma, which is a childhood cancer.

Prior to Katies death she wanted to raise money to support young lives and their families facing this terrible disease; this is The Katie Thorburn Foundation.

Although The Katie Thorburn Foundation is not a registered charity, all money raised has been dispersed across the 4 charities that were close to Katie’s heart and provided tremendous support and generosity during her illness.

These are:

- Young Lives vs Cancer (previously CLIC Sargent), who are a cancer charity for children and young people, and their families providing clinical, practical, financial and emotional support - https://www.younglivesvscancer.org.uk/

- When you wish upon a Star, whose primary aim is to grant the Wishes of children suffering from life threatening illnesses - https://www.whenyouwishuponastar.org.uk/

- Little Princess Trust, who provide real-hair wigs, free of charge, to boys and girls across the UK and Ireland that have lost their own hair through cancer treatment - https://www.littleprincesses.org.uk/

- Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital, Ward 86 (perviously Ward 84). Funds raised to benefit the Macmillan Cancer Support Team who cared for Katie when she was treated at the hospital, and who provide fantastic support for the individual and family during time of need – as well as priority funds for the wider hospital, which are spent to have the biggest impact for their patients and families - https://mftcharity.org.uk/