Lancashire tractor run will remember local boy Charlie who lost his battle with brain tumour

Named ‘Charlie’s Convoy’, the tractor run will raise funds for NHS and The Brain Tumour Charity, whilst giving local people the chance to remember the little boy who had battled a brain tumour through most of his young life.

Charlie had battled multiple brain tumours after first being diagnosed with a grade 3 ependymoma at just two years old.

His courage and 'infectious nature' throughout his diagnosis and treatment touched his local community, who lined the village streets on April 16, the day of his funeral, dressed in blue.

And on May 7, local businesses, farmers and truckers will set off at 7 pm from Stanley Lodge, Salwick Road, forming ‘Charlie’s Convoy’ on a route through Lancashire – in memory of the “little fighter' who loved the outdoors.

Charlie’s Mum Nici said: “This event shows what the power of a local community can achieve, and we are so grateful for the way our local community, and wider communities, have rallied to support us.

“Charlie was immensely strong, both physically and emotionally. During his treatment he endured many challenges; he suffered two bleeds on the brain, cerebral mutism, he was unable to walk after his second major surgery, to name just a few.

“Charlie’s attitude, determination and love of hospital, and the nurses and doctors who’ve cared for him, all helped to make the experience more bearable and helped lift our spirits on even the darkest days”.

Passing through Catforth, Treales, Wharles, Roseacre, Elswick, and Great Eccleston, Charlie’s Convoy will finish in Inskip, Charlie’s home village, at the Derby Arms junction.

And the vehicles will be decorated with blue bows and heart-shaped bumper stickers in tribute to the five-year-old.

Mum Nici, Dad John, alongside Charlie’s brothers Jack and Harry have previously told the Post they were eager to continue raising awareness of brain tumours and its symptoms, to help other families.

Speaking to the Post last week, dad John said: "The whole family drew a lot of our strength from him and how he coped, determined to never give up. We knew people found his spirit infectious but had no idea that that many people would turn up to remember him.

"Charlie was such an infectious, happy and smiley young boy that people were drawn to. Right through his treatment and some of the most daunting and horrific situations you could imagine, he took it all in his stride and kept fighting."

Around 600 children are diagnosed with a brain tumour each year in the UK, and, as the symptoms of brain tumours in children can mimic other childhood illnesses, diagnosis can sometimes be delayed.

Charlie had begun experiencing vomiting and headaches which worsened over a four week period when he was just two years old.

And mum Nici had an inkling something wasn't right when a once happy and outgoing toddler became tired, lethargic and withdrawn,

She added: “When we found out Charlie’s diagnosis it was completely devastating and heartbreaking. We don’t want anyone to have to go through what Charlie and our family has been through.

“Brain tumours have been overlooked by government funding for a long time and this needs to change, given the statistics.

“By sharing Charlie’s journey, we’ve not only wanted to raise awareness but we hope that we’ve helped other families going through similar experiences.”

The Tractor Run, raising funds for the Lancashire Teaching Hospitals Charity, and The Brain Tumour Charity, is making impressive progress towards its £10,000 fundraising target.

Event organiser Bryan Eccleston, said: “I’m overwhelmed with the way everyone has got behind the event so far, and I’m really happy with the support shown both to the Tractor Run, and to Charlie’s family.

“I didn’t know Charlie very well, but having met him a couple of times, I’m not at all surprised that his local community has got behind this. He touched your heart. We want to do everything we can to raise as much as possible for the NHS, and for The Brain Tumour Charity.”

Gina Almond, The Brain Tumour Charity’s Director of Fundraising, added: “We are extremely grateful for all the efforts made by our incredible fundraisers and thank them. Brain tumours are the biggest cancer killer of the under 40s and, unlike other cancers, survival rates have not improved over the last 40 years.

“We are leading the way in changing this and truly fighting brain tumours on all fronts through our work.

“We receive no government funding and rely 100 per cent on voluntary donations, so it’s only through the efforts of people like Charlie’s family and their fantastic supporters, that we can change these shocking statistics in the future and bring hope to the thousands of people who are diagnosed with a brain tumour every year.”

The organisation funds research to increase survival and improve treatment options, as well as raising awareness of the symptoms and effects of brain tumours to bring about an earlier diagnosis.

Donate to the Go Fund Me page.

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