Family draws strength from raising cash for cancer suffers in memory of Charlton fan Ben
Family and friends of Charlton Athletic fan Ben Jay will be collecting donations for Young Lives vs Cancer in his memory before the club’s next game.
The group will be outside The Valley before the game against Derby County on Saturday. Ben sadly died of liver cancer two years ago on World Cancer Day, February 4, 2022, aged just 17.
The bucket collection outside club’s ground will be on behalf of The Ben Jay Butterfly Fund, which was set up to help other children and young people, like Ben, facing cancer.
Last year, in September, the family, from Plumstead, raised an incredible £1,458 for the fund by collecting donations at the ground. Ben and his family were supported by Young Lives vs Cancer, the UK’s leading charity for children and young people with cancer, throughout his treatment.
The football club were a great support to Ben and his family throughout his treatment, and have since supported his family’s fundraising too.
In 2020, Ben became unwell and despite multiple trips to the GP and A&E over the course of 18 months, he and his parents were told he was fine, and his symptoms were the cause of a long-term health condition Ben was living with.
However, after being rushed into hospital in July 2021 where he had various tests and scans, Ben and his family were given the devastating news that Ben had Hepatocellular carcinoma, a very rare type of liver cancer.
Just one month later, Ben had his first round of chemotherapy, followed by a further six rounds over the next few months. Sadly though, in November 2021, the family were told the chemotherapy wasn’t working and Ben would be moved to a palliative care plan. Just seven months after receiving his cancer diagnosis, Ben passed away.
Sharon Jay, Ben’s mum said: “Our son was a huge Charlton fan that followed games home and away with his friends. I would like to take the opportunity to thank Charlton FC, especially Tracey Leaburn, as well as all the Charlton fans for the love and support they showed our Ben whilst fighting cancer.
“Ben had the most amazing seven months a young boy could ask for. Ben’s dream to walk on the pitch alongside the players was fulfilled, to have his name shouted from the stands, but most of all the applause by fans and players was truly an amazing memory for us as Ben’s parents that will forever stay in our hearts.”
If you’d like to make a donation to Young Lives vs Cancer through Ben’s fund, you can visit: https://funds.
Texts will cost the donation amount plus one standard network rate message.
Pictured top: Ben with his beloved ‘Charlton family’ (Picture: Charlton Atletic FC/Sharon Jay)
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