As previously mentioned, I will be working closely with the Liam Fairhurst Foundation in 2012. I'm very pleased to announce that the website went live last night so I am finally going to reveal all about this amazing new charity and what I hope to do for them this year.
Liam Fairhurst
Liam was diagnosed with a soft tissue cancer in July 2005 aged just ten years old. The cancer was in his legs.
He underwent several gruelling treatments including Chemotherapy and Radiotherapy as well as many operations to try and stop to cancer in its tracks. He spent time in intensive care, had to take supplements to keep his kidneys functioning and spent a year in a wheelchair.
Most people would struggle to cope with all of that, especially someone as young as Liam but he was such a strong boy. He worked through the pain and set out to help others in his situation.
Liam's friend Jack died in August 2006. He was only 12 years old. His death inspired Liam to begin fundraising for CLIC Sargent as the charity had really helped both boys and their families. He decided to do a sponsored one mile swim and managed to raise £13,000. To raise that much money in a single event is a huge achievement but in this case it is even more remarkable because Liam was barely about to walk 100 yards and had lost 3/4 of his left thigh muscle at the time. He was full of determination and told his family he would stay in the pool no matter how long it takes!
Liam then starred on a TV show and managed to persuade five millionaires to donate £50,000 to CLIC Sargent. The money was used to buy a luxury caravan and equipment for families affected by cancer to enjoy short breaks away from hospitals. It was this TV appearance that led to Liam being nominated for a Diana award.
Just six days after his twelfth birthday, routine scans detected new tumours growing in both of Liam's lungs. Within a few months he was facing a terminal diagnosis.Liam refused to accept it and with the support of his family he sought several second opinions. Some of these led to further treatments and operations.
At this point in his life Liam's fundraising total had reached over £70,000 and he was determined to keep going. His local community were inspired and helped him by holding fundraising events in his name. Liam decided not to make his terminal diagnosis public as he didn't want to believe it and he didn't want people to feel sorry for him.
Liam received many awards during this time including a Pride of Britain Child of Courage and Britain's Kindest Kid. Despite suffering so much, he was focused on helping children in the same situation.
On June 30th 2009 Liam passed away at home surrounded by his family. He was fourteen years old. At the time of his death he had managed to raise £340,000 and many people including Gordon Brown and Richard Branson paid tribute to his remarkable young boy.
Liam Fairhurst Foundation
The LFF has been set up by the Fairhurst family, Monty English and Julia at Charles Russell Solicitors.
The charity hopes to help disadvantaged young people in the UK, especially those affected by cancer and disabilities. They also want to mentor young role models.
The LFF will fundraise for various charities including CLIC Sargent. They will also help with projects including funding nurses to help young people in their final hours. In addition, they will help people with the financial costs of illness.
Getting Involved
The charity will do vital work and will need lots of support from the public. So far no money has been spent on overheads and that is how they want it to stay,
I will be co ordinating a huge national fundraiser throughout the year to promote LFF and to raise money. I think Liam and his brother Callum are astounding young boys and I'm thrilled, honoured and excited to be helping the charity to carry on Liam's legacy. Please get involved in any way you can and help me raise lots of money for this amazing charity!
Follow LFF on Twitter @LiamfFoundation or Callum @blackpigsweets
Check out their websites www.liamfairhurstfoundation.com
Liam Fairhurst
Liam was diagnosed with a soft tissue cancer in July 2005 aged just ten years old. The cancer was in his legs.
He underwent several gruelling treatments including Chemotherapy and Radiotherapy as well as many operations to try and stop to cancer in its tracks. He spent time in intensive care, had to take supplements to keep his kidneys functioning and spent a year in a wheelchair.
Most people would struggle to cope with all of that, especially someone as young as Liam but he was such a strong boy. He worked through the pain and set out to help others in his situation.
Liam's friend Jack died in August 2006. He was only 12 years old. His death inspired Liam to begin fundraising for CLIC Sargent as the charity had really helped both boys and their families. He decided to do a sponsored one mile swim and managed to raise £13,000. To raise that much money in a single event is a huge achievement but in this case it is even more remarkable because Liam was barely about to walk 100 yards and had lost 3/4 of his left thigh muscle at the time. He was full of determination and told his family he would stay in the pool no matter how long it takes!
Liam then starred on a TV show and managed to persuade five millionaires to donate £50,000 to CLIC Sargent. The money was used to buy a luxury caravan and equipment for families affected by cancer to enjoy short breaks away from hospitals. It was this TV appearance that led to Liam being nominated for a Diana award.
Just six days after his twelfth birthday, routine scans detected new tumours growing in both of Liam's lungs. Within a few months he was facing a terminal diagnosis.Liam refused to accept it and with the support of his family he sought several second opinions. Some of these led to further treatments and operations.
At this point in his life Liam's fundraising total had reached over £70,000 and he was determined to keep going. His local community were inspired and helped him by holding fundraising events in his name. Liam decided not to make his terminal diagnosis public as he didn't want to believe it and he didn't want people to feel sorry for him.
Liam received many awards during this time including a Pride of Britain Child of Courage and Britain's Kindest Kid. Despite suffering so much, he was focused on helping children in the same situation.
On June 30th 2009 Liam passed away at home surrounded by his family. He was fourteen years old. At the time of his death he had managed to raise £340,000 and many people including Gordon Brown and Richard Branson paid tribute to his remarkable young boy.
Liam Fairhurst Foundation
The LFF has been set up by the Fairhurst family, Monty English and Julia at Charles Russell Solicitors.
The charity hopes to help disadvantaged young people in the UK, especially those affected by cancer and disabilities. They also want to mentor young role models.
The LFF will fundraise for various charities including CLIC Sargent. They will also help with projects including funding nurses to help young people in their final hours. In addition, they will help people with the financial costs of illness.
Getting Involved
The charity will do vital work and will need lots of support from the public. So far no money has been spent on overheads and that is how they want it to stay,
I will be co ordinating a huge national fundraiser throughout the year to promote LFF and to raise money. I think Liam and his brother Callum are astounding young boys and I'm thrilled, honoured and excited to be helping the charity to carry on Liam's legacy. Please get involved in any way you can and help me raise lots of money for this amazing charity!
Follow LFF on Twitter @LiamfFoundation or Callum @blackpigsweets
Check out their websites www.liamfairhurstfoundation.com
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