STAR-FILLED NIGHT PLANNED TO HELP BRAVE LIAM’S CAUSE

Liam Fairhurst (11) from Soham, Cambridgeshire is celebrating having been off cancer treatment for a year by attempting a one mile sponsored swim this December in aid of CLIC Sargent, the UK’s leading children’s cancer charity. And his efforts to raise money have now been boosted by the announcement of a star-studded concert to take place at the Junction in Cambridge on 18 December.

Matt Shaw, billed as the UK’s premiere Meatloaf tribute act and a Stars in their Eyes grand finalist, is headlining the show. After hearing about Liam’s mile Matt approached Liam’s family offering to perform a concert to help raise money. TV presenter Julian Bennett (Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, The Jules & Lulu Show) will host the night and a Britney Spears tribute act will also perform.

Celebrities expected to attend include singers Michelle Gayle and Kelly Bryant, footballers Neil ‘Razor’ Ruddock and Lee Sharpe and Bad Girls actresses Nicola Stapleton and Antonia Okonma!

Liam was diagnosed with a synovial sarcoma (tumour) in his left leg in June 2005. To mark the anniversary of the end of his treatment, Liam will be swimming one mile on 22 December. He will also be honouring the memory of his friend, 12 year old Jack Wilkinson, who he met on the hospital ward and sadly passed away in August this year.

Liam says: “I still find walking quite hard so I decided to do a swimming challenge instead. It will probably be quite difficult but I’m really excited about it and I’m doing lots of training.

“I’m going to donate the money I raise to CLIC Sargent. They’re a charity that helps families affected by childhood cancer and leukaemia. They really helped me and my family and that is why I am trying to do something for them.”

Liam’s local community is already behind his attempt; local radio station, Star 107, has launched a campaign to help raise funds; the Cambridge Toyota dealership is lending the family a car to get Liam to training and back; and the Next Generation gym in Cambridge will be hosting the event, dedicating their pool for Liam’s sole use on the day and providing a personal trainer in the run-up to the event.

Karen Roberts, Assistant Community Fundraising Manager for CLIC Sargent, says: “Liam will be taking the plunge on December 22 and we hope local people will show their support by sponsoring him and going along to the concert which promises to be a fantastic evening.

“The money raised by Liam’s swim and this concert will help CLIC Sargent support families in many ways, including funding childhood cancer specialists. At Addenbrooke’s hospital in Cambridge, we fund 11 posts including nurses, social workers, a play specialist, a youth worker and a child and family worker – all of whom make a real difference to families in need of support.”

Tickets for the event cost £10 on the night or £8.50 if bought in advance from the Junction website www.junction.co.uk or by calling 01223 511511. Anybody wishing to support Liam can log onto www.justgiving.com/liamsmile.

December is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. During the month 310 families will be told their child has cancer. To find out more about the charity, and how it supports families like Liam’s log onto www.clicsargent.org.uk.

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