In memory of Phil Stamp, raising money for Children with Cancer UK after passing away on 6th September 2022 from Stage 4 Bowel Cancer.

Phil's Story:

My name is Phil Stamp. I have lived locally to Saffron Walden for the past 30 years with my three boys Ben, Jamie and Sean and wife Claire. In 1992 at the age of 22, I started working for the Audley End Estate and the Braybrooke family. I have spent the last 30 years helping with the farming on the Estate and the maintenance of Lord Braybrooke’s beloved miniature steam engines at the Audley End Miniature Railway, which has now been taken over by his eldest daughter, Amanda Murray. I have thoroughly enjoyed my working years on the Estate and have shared many happy memories with my colleagues, family and friends.  

My Story
In 2019 I was diagnosed with Stage 4 Bowel Cancer when I was referred to Addenbrookes Hospital after experiencing some unusual symptoms. After processing the diagnosis, I proceeded to start chemotherapy in December 2019 for 4 months, followed by 5 weeks of intense, daily radiotherapy. Unfortunately, the treatment I received was not successful, in fact the cancer had now spread to my liver. In September 2020 I had liver surgery, removing 25-30% of my liver to try and stop the cancer spreading further. I then had to undergo further surgery on my bowel in November 2020 as the cancer was still active. The surgery resulted in me having a stoma bag fitted for the next 8 months. In August 2021 I decided to have a reversal operation on my bowel to remove the stoma bag and reconnect my bowel together. The doctors had given me a 10% chance of reaching this stage in my treatment but I was still determined to fight. In September 2021 I had the devastating news that the cancer in my liver had returned so restarted chemotherapy again shortly afterwards. In January 2022 the doctors informed me that the chemotherapy was no longer working so the decision was made to stop the treatment. I was then referred to London to take part in a trial immune therapy treatment with the hope that it would extend my remaining time to live by 10%. After regular visits to UCLH Hospital the treatment was unfortunately not working and my tumours had in fact doubled in size. I am now waiting to decide whether to undergo any further chemotherapy during my last weeks of living. 

Since the Diagnosis
Since receiving my diagnosis in 2019 I have been determined to experience several things I have always wanted to do. Top of my list was to visit the pyramids in Egypt, which I thoroughly enjoyed with my wife earlier this year. I have also visited Wales with my best friend and sons for a camping trip, climbing up Snowdon and flying down the fastest zip wire in the world, I wonder how many people with a stoma bag have done that! I have also enjoyed other things such as regular go karting days with family and friends and recently having a large gathering at my house for all my family, which resulted in us cooking a BBQ for 90 people! In 2 weeks time I am also extremely excited to visit Silverstone for the British Grand Prix where I will be in a VIP box above the pit lane. Most importantly of all, I have also been spending lots of valuable time with my family and friends.  

Children with Cancer UK 
In the time that I have left, I feel compelled to raise money for children suffering with cancer which is why I have chosen Children with Cancer UK. I find it extremely heart breaking knowing that such young and innocent children have to go through the same gruelling chemotherapy and radiotherapy that I have. I want to raise all important funds to help more children with cancer ring the end of treatment bell. Please join me with donating as much or as little as you can. 

Thank you for your support.