THE FAMILY of brave Alvechurch boy Finlay Church, who sadly passed away last Wednesday (November 25) after a 17-month battle with brain cancer have vowed to continue the amazing fund-raising work he started.
The 11-year-old captured the hearts of thousands with his drive which saw more than £90,000 collected for Birmingham Children’s Hospital and Brain Tumour Research after a host of charity events.
Among them was Operation Teddy Bear at Alvechurch Cricket Club which saw Fin inspire the creation of the longest ever line of teddy bears.
The line, officially confirmed as a Guinness World Record earlier this year, was 15,534 bears long, and measured 2,106 metres (6,909 ft 5.22 in).
On the day of the record attempt, Fin was recovering from a seven-hour operation at Liverpool’s Alder Hay Hospital. However, he made it back in time to put the last teddy in place, delighting the crowds who had gathered as the feat unfolded.
Alvechurch Lions FC, who Fin played for, wore black armbands during their games at the weekend and Redditch United held a minute’s applause before their matches.
His mum Penny told The Standard while it was hard to come to terms with losing Fin his fund-raising would go a long way to helping others.
She said: “He fought so hard and I’m so proud of him and heartbroken though we know he is finally at peace.
“In the last couple of weeks he had had enough and we could tell that he was struggling to keep fighting.
“We are just glad he passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by his family.
“Everyone has been amazing – we have had so many cards and messages of goodwill.
“It’s very humbling to see how many hearts he touched.”
Fin’s funeral will be at 11am on Monday (December 7) at St Laurence Church in Alvechurch.
There will be a public service which everyone is welcome to before a private family burial.
The coffin will travel past Alvechurch Middle and Crown Meadow First School at about 10.30am for those children or adults who want to pay their respects but won’t be attending the funeral.
Fin was diagnosed last June with a Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) – the most aggressive malignant primary brian tumour – and he fought it all the way.
A lasting memorial will also be created in Alvechurch for youngsters in the village to enjoy and remember him.
The family has asked for family flowers only and donations for the memorial can be made on the day or via Thomas Brothers Funeral Directors on 0121 445 3422. For more on Finlay visit www.facebook.com/Finlaysjourney or donate at www.justgiving.com/teams/Finlaysjourney .
