A family from Stoke are planning to walk 35 miles across two national parks to raise funds for the charity that supported their young son when he was diagnosed with cancer.
Fox Parkin was just three years old when he was diagnosed with leukaemia in December last year and recently found out that he is cancer free – although his treatment will continue until October.
Fox, along with his twin sister as well as friends and family will walk from Fox Tor on Bodmin Moor to Fox Tor on Dartmoor in September to raise money for CLIC Sargent, the UK’s leading cancer charity for children and young people.
The family have been inspired by Fox and were supported throughout his cancer journey by CLIC Sargent.
His dad, Tom, said:
“Fox was diagnosed on Christmas Day 2019. We were rushed to the Bristol Royal Hospital for Children so specialists could run tests and look after him.
“He was officially diagnosed with acute promyelocytic myloid leukemia. Less than one in 100 children with leukemia are affected by this disease, especially under the age of 10.
“Due to the rarity of his illness Fox spent two months on a ward where he was given extra special care and treatment. Alongside this we were supported by CLIC Sargent who provided us with accommodation in CLIC House, found us grants for travel and handheld us through the whole ordeal.
“Fox is now doing great and has responded to his treatment better than we expected, he is officially in remission, however treatment continues until October.”
Last year in Devon, CLIC Sargent supported 177 families, giving out 89 financial grants to the value of £17,960 helping families to cope with the costs of cancer. The Cancer Costs report from the charity found that families with a child on active treatment spend an extra £600 a month.
Stephanie Parker, CLIC Sargent fundraising engagement manager for Devon & Cornwall said:
“When cancer strikes young lives we fight tirelessly to limit the damage it causes beyond their health. We rely entirely on donations to fund our vital work and so we can’t thank Tom and family enough for their fantastic efforts.”
