Christmas wish for little boy bravely battling cancer

St Andrews School pupil launches fundraiser following his cousin’s diagnosis

All I want for Christmas is for my family and friends to be happy and healthy.

No-one can realise the true value and meaning of those words until you are in a position whereby that is threatened.

This is the reality for little Jamie Butcher and his family after the six-year-old’s terrifying cancer diagnosis less than three months ago.

Jamie underwent neurosurgery to remove a malignant brain tumour in October and is in hospital undergoing a gruelling six-week course of radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

Jamie’s cousin, Matthew, is a P7 pupil at St Andrews Primary School, and alongside his parents they have launched two fundraisers – one for the family and one for a cancer charity, Young Lives vs Cancer (formerly known as Clic Sargent).

Cancer is horrendous at any time but can seem even more difficult to bear at this time of year. Young Lives vs Cancer understands how cancer can take precious time away from young cancer patients and their families. They fundraise to try and give that back, so families can spend Christmas together in one of their free Homes from Home.​ A place where they can celebrate that isn’t hospital, where their child can forget about cancer. A few days to be together, to be normal. Just like at home.​

Feeling helpless, Matthew’s mum Michelle decided to fundraise for her nephew and his family. She had her long hair cut very short and donated 12 inches to the Little Princess Trust charity that makes wigs for children with cancer while also crowdfunding to support Jamie’s family. This has raised just short of £5,000 so far.

Jamie's two older brothers, Dylan and Jack, and his Dad Mark all shaved their heads when his treatment started, and Matthew decided that he would like to do the same, using it as an opportunity to raise money for a charity that supports children and their families affected by cancer.

Michelle, from Tankerness, said: “Matthew is finding it hard to be honest which is why he wanted to do something positive in the situation. The family are hugely grateful for the support they have received through the crowdfunding and charity efforts that all help to spread awareness.

“I can't quite put into words how proud we are of Matthew. He is the most amazing kind-hearted boy who loves to help others so as parents we wholeheartedly support his decision to do this.”

Jamie’s family are hopeful that he will be able to spend Christmas weekend at home, which is just outside Bath, but it will depend on how he is feeling at that time.

Michelle continued: “The family are all shielding at the moment in the hope that Jamie will be able to spend weekends when he is not receiving treatment at home. This means that Jamie’s Dad is juggling working from home while also home schooling the other children. Jamie’s Mum, Audrey, is spending as much time as possible with him at the hospital in Bristol.

“We are in Orkney and feel helpless to do anything other than through the practical route of fundraising to try and make things a little easier for the family financially at this time, but also to raise awareness of cancer in children and the charities who support them.”

Jamie is at the early stages of his treatment and has an incredibly tough journey ahead, undergoing a general anesthetic every weekday for the six-week period to enable him to receive the precision radiotherapy treatment. But he has astounded everyone with his positive can-do attitude and cheeky personality.

Jamie’s parents have decided to document the journey – the highs, the lows, tears and, most importantly, the giggles.

You can follow Jamie’s story on Facebook or Instagram.

You can donate to the family fundraiser.

Matthew would really appreciate if you are able to make a donation, no matter how small, to his own fundraiser for the Young Lives vs Cancer charity – please follow the link and give what you can.