A BRAVE boy who is battling a brain tumour has gone the extra mile to ensure a state-of-the-art cancer centre for children across the West Midlands is built.
Finlay Church, from Alvechurch, officially brought the curtain down on a campaign by Birmingham Children’s Hospital on Wednesday (February 4) to collect £4million for the new unit, by donating the final £19,000.
Finlay’s fund-raising first started during the hospital’s Big Bandage Appeal last July, just weeks after he was diagnosed with Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) – the most aggressive malignant brain tumour which is rare in children.
The ten-year-old had been getting headaches, suffering sickness in the mornings and had been feeling lethargic. A scan at the Alexandra Hospital revealed he had a lesion on the brain and further tests at BCH confirmed the news the family had feared.
Mum Penny told The Standard: “At that point our world just stopped. You know these days cancer is going to touch your life in some way, but you don’t expect it to be your children.”
Since diagnosis Finlay, who goes to Alvechurch Middle School, has had surgery to remove the tumour, radiotherapy and is undergoing 12 months of chemotherapy until September when he will have regular MRI scans to check on his progress.
He has also taken part in a clinical trial to test out a new drug which restricts the blood supply to the tumour to stop it growing, and the family are backing a campaign by Cancer Research UK to highlight the power of clinical trials.
Despite that the youngster has been determined to play his part in helping ensure other children in a similar situation to him receive the best possible treatment.
Initially the family only set themselves a target of £1,000 but it was quickly exceeded as friends, relatives and the local community got behind them with people even pushing money through their letterbox or transferring cash directly into their account.
Two girls in Finlay’s class had their long hair cut for the cause, donating it to the Princess Trust so it can be made into wigs for young cancer sufferers.
Other events included cake sales, discos and the ice bucket challenge and Finlay even took part in the Bupa Junior Run in Birmingham in October. Despite having undergone chemotherapy on the day of the event he completed the 2.5km course.
“He had a bowl on his lap all the way there and I kept saying maybe he shouldn’t do it, but he was so determined.” Penny said.
Dad Wayne added: “They say kids are resilient, but he really has been brilliant – the only things he has complained about have been taking tablets which, considering all he has been through, has been unbelievable.”
Finlay’s fund-raising total now stands at £19,462 and his mum said every penny had been worth it.
“The Children’s Hospital touches so many people – the staff here are tremendous but the facilities are out-dated and more space is needed.” she said.
“The oncology team make your worst nightmare manageable. They have held our hand throughout and have always been here for Fin. He’s really looking forward to finishing his treatment now.”
Finlay with mum Penny and dad Wayne at Birmingham Children’s Hospital. (s)
