Support Bradley's Promise in Achieving Their Charity Status

Mum fundraising in memory of son 'because it feels like he's still here'

Bradley Addison was a ambassador for Acorns Children's Hospice and captured hearts across the Midlands.

A mum devastated by the loss of her son at just 18 is launching a charity to fill a "gap" in care for young people between the ages of 16 to 25 yers old with the condition that claimed his life. Football-loving Pride of Birmingham winner Bradley Addison, from Solihull, lived with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, a condition that causes muscles to weaken and a shortened lifespan.

He spent years raising money and awareness of the illness, even winning a Pride of Britain award. But when died in 2022 his mother Sarah Green said she felt as if someone had 'ripped a hole' in her.

The 48-year-old is now determined to continue Bradley's legacy by raising money to officially register the charity Bradley's Promise. Her family are organising a charity ball on Saturday, July 20, just after what would have been his 21st birthday.

She is looking to raise £5,000 to officially register the charity and fill the gap of support missing for young people with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Sarah said: "It's quite tough. I threw myself into the charity work because it feels like he's still here.

"So I haven't really grieved for him, we were a family of four and now we are a family of three. We find it hard, I am having counselling because I am scared of how I could react.

Bradley Addison in 2018 before he showed Prince William around the Selly Oak Acorns Children's Hospice

Bradley Addison in 2018 before he showed Prince William around the Selly Oak Acorns Children's Hospice (Image: Birmingham Mail)

"It feels like someone has ripped a hole in me. I set up the charity because Bradley felt there was a gap and it's still there. They are not children at this age or adults, they are young people and there is a lack of support through consultants, social services and the government."

Sarah said young people faced difficulties in accessing support depending on where they were based in the UK. She plans to build an information hub for people aged 16 to 25 with face-to-face support. The hub will be based somewhere central so it can operate as far as Shropshire and Warwickshire.

It will also feature a cafe, pool table and other facilities for young people. They also plan to have multiple agencies available to help people.

The then-Duke of Cambridge meets Acorns Ambassador Bradley Addison, then aged 14, during a visit to Acorns Children's Hospice. (Image: PA)

Sarah said: "When Bradley got to 15 or 16 consultants tried to push him towards Queen Elizabeth Hospital, but they would not accept him until he was 18.

"So he was left behind, I feel they get written off. The most they live up to is 19. With social services, many cannot get a care package from social services which they need to be independent. How many 15 or 16 year olds want to be with their parents? I had to put him into care to get him a care package.

"With occupational therapy you call for a referral and wait six months for someone to come out and another six months to receive anything. By that point your child doesn't need it. Bradley needed a standing frame and by the time he got it he couldn't use it anymore. We have had to fight all our life for everything."

Sarah recalls Bradley's love for playing pranks including putting whoopie cushions under football icons John Terry and Jack Grealish's seats at events. Bradley was a passionate ambassador for Acorns Children's Hospice and once showed Prince William around the Selly Oak "home from home".

A huge Villa fan, he was well known by many footballers including Gabriel Agbonlahor who donated thousands towards his funeral costs. Despite being diagnosed at five Bradley was determined to play football, taking up powerchair football for WBA Throstles and Villa Rockets.

Sarah said: "I didn't want to shy Bradley away from his condition, don't get me wrong he hated it. He said 'I don't want to die mum', I said 'no you are just sleeping'.

"This is why we are doing this charity because we don't want anybody going through this. Our relationship was fraught because I felt more like his carer than his mum. When he moved out it was the hardest thing but he said: 'This is the best thing you could do because it made me appreciate you as a mum'.

The charity ball will feature a two-course meal, red carpet entrance, pop up stands.