Laura Hughes
George's Fund
Fundraising for Herefordshire Community Foundation
Story
ABOUT
George woke up his normal cheeky self one morning but after he had wolfed down his marmite on toast he went on to be sick. After that moment, little did we know our lives would be turned upside down forever.
After George had been sick, he had a lie-down and when he woke up his face had dropped on the one side so we called 999.
We were rushed to Birmingham where the next morning George was diagnosed with Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma - (DIPG) which is a highly malignant brain tumour (cancer). DIPG affects children almost exclusively who are between the ages of 4 and 11 and children typically experience a month or less of symptoms before diagnosis and then worsen rapidly. Due to the location of the tumour survival rate is 0%.
In George's case, the tumour had haemorrhaged (explaining an even more sudden downfall) and we were told he would die at any moment. In the consultant's words; "You have been hit by lightning".
6 weeks later on the 12th of October 2020, George passed away at home in our arms.
THE FUND
When George was poorly we were overwhelmed by people’s kindness and generosity including a number of charities. We were lucky enough to receive a few one-off grants to help with money whilst off work. We were also able to get George some toys he loved (and lots of Lego!) thanks to the help available.
One thing we kept on thinking about is how lucky we were to bring George back to a warm home, filled with love and everything we needed to make things as comfortable as possible.
In George’s short and special life, he had the opportunity to go on holiday, do extra curriculum activities, and have a bedroom filled with toys and clean dry clothes to wear. Looking back we wouldn’t have changed a thing. For that, we are truly grateful.
Although the money raised will provide one-off grants to terminally ill children in Herefordshire we also want to support projects that promote the interests of primary-aged children (particularly disadvantaged) to make sure they can live their fullest life possible.
As a mum, one of your jobs is to tell your children that "everything is going to be ok". I couldn't do that for George so if we as a family can make a small difference to another child's life then it will give us huge comfort.
Laura X