Making a difference for Mason

23rd July 2023 - It breaks my heart to write this update, but, as most of you will be aware, on Friday evening, with his family by his side, Mason passed away.

It is humbling to witness the outpouring of love and memories so many of you have of Mason and his family. I’ve only witnessed the last years of their journey, but I can see how many lives they have touched throughout the years.

We ran out of time to get Mason home for his last days, but it feels fitting that we help his family send him on his final journey.

Your kind donations will now go towards Mason’s funeral, and any remaining funds will be given to the family to enable them to take the time they need to grieve.

Please donate, let me help Mason’s family give their boy the send off he deserves.

Hi, my name is Lucy. I’m raising funds for my wonderful friend Shelley, and her amazing family.

In 2010, Shelley and her husband, Kevin, received the devastating news that their five year old son, Mason, had an inoperable brain tumour.

Mason has undergone countless rounds of chemotherapy and scores of operations. Prolonged use of steroids have caused weight gain and swelling. Now, 13 years later, the tumour has grown to such an extent that nothing more can be done. Mason is receiving end of life care and has been told that he could have weeks or months left; the tumour is like a ticking time bomb.

On 17th April 2023, building works began on the house in order to adapt it to accommodate Mason’s complex needs - this was due to be completed within six weeks. Whilst this was happening, Mason moved into St Elizabeth’s hospice for palliative care and end of life treatment.

Twelve weeks later, this work is still ongoing, with no end in sight. As a consequence, the funding has run out. The walls are not finished, the floor isn’t done, the garden is a mess, the wet room is unusable.

Shelley and her four younger children have been living upstairs out of three rooms, with no kitchen. Their house is a building site. Shelley and Kevin are dividing their time at the hospice, never leaving Mason’s side.

There is no money left to finish the work, meaning that Mason cannot come home.

The effects of being apart are more than taking their toll on this family - this work needs to be completed. Mason’s younger siblings need their mum and their brother to come home. They need to be able to cherish the time they have and make memories together as a family.

No one should be put in this situation and I’m hoping that, together, we can raise enough to cover the cost of completing the house adaptations.

Whatever you can spare, every penny will make a difference to this family.

Please donate as much as you’re able and pass this on to your friends and family; we need to help each other at times like these.

With so much love and thanks

EDIT - 13th July

Yesterday, our friend, Holly Hanmore, contacted me to say that on 19th and 20th August, she is taking part in the Three Peaks Challenge.

Holly had not yet set up a fundraising page, as had been wanting to find a worthy cause, and asked if she could use her sponsorship to support our fundraising for Mason.

This is so incredibly kind; Holly knows firsthand the affects childhood cancer can have on a family, and we cannot thank her enough for supporting us.

To anyone sponsoring Holly, Thank You. This is indeed a worthy cause; your donations will be making a difference.