On 24th September 2019, our darling boy Angus was diagnosed with an aggressive blood cancer, T- cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (T-ALL). He is one of under 100 children in the UK each year who receive this devastating diagnosis.

Despite chemotherapy starting immediately, for a while Angus counted as a "slow-responder". All of our worlds' turned upside down. Explaining to your nine-year old that his platinum blonde hair will soon be left in a halo on the pillow is the least of it. We have been humbled by the extraordinary support from incredible teams at the Royal Marsden, St. George's and Evelina hospitals and an overwhelming response from family and friends. We have now turned a corner and are on a path with a much more positive prognosis. The planned chemo treatment, lasts a tortuous 3.5 years, of which the first 8 months are the most brutal.

Somehow, through the quagmire of intense chemo treatment, multiple blood transfusions (18 to date) and a myriad of debilitating side effects, Angus has maintained his spirit. His quirky wit, passion for reading and fascination with eccentric facts and all things scientific have stayed firmly intact. His bravery and droll sense of humour throughout the constant medical drama and darkest times have inspired us all.

Something good must come of this life changing experience. No child should have to endure this and over the last few decades, research is having a real impact on outcomes. For every child who achieves remission from cancer, typically 66 years of life are gained. Yet because the numbers affected are far fewer than in adulthood, childhood cancer research receives vastly less funding from the major charities.

As a family we are working with The Giant Pledge to help beat childhood cancer. Every penny raised goes to The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity, the UK's largest drug development centre for children and young people with cancer, helping children both nationally and internationally.

Through Angus' Giant Pledge we aim to raise £100k by the time his current treatment is finished in 2023.

We are hopeful that many of you will go beyond donating, to undertake a fund-raising challenge, or maybe even hold your own sponsored event. Email us at angusgiantpledge@gmail.com if you'd like to discuss any of your ideas or if you or your organisation would like to get behind it. Every pound counts.

Let's raise some money together to beat this awful disease and give future children and their families' hope.

Thank you for your support.

Helen, Max, Angus and Beatrix x