Incredible community spirit across the Isle of Wight and a touching story about 5-month-old Oscar has seen £8,800 raised to support children and young people with cancer.
Last week, George Hatt from Chillerton set up a Facebook page stating that he would shave off his beard in exchange for donations to the charity CLIC Sargent which supports children and young people with cancer. The fundraising target of £1,500 has been met and then some, with an amazing £8,800 raised to date.
He chose CLIC Sargent as his cousin Russell Hatt and partner Joanna Tosdevin found out last month that their 5-month-old baby, Oscar, had a Neuroblastoma Tumor on his spine into his abdomen.
George says:
“Being on the island, whilst Russell, Joanna and Oscar were in Southampton for treatment, I know that I can speak on behalf of all the family involved that we all felt so helpless through this shocking experience.”
“Everyone who knows me, knows how much I love my beloved beard that I have had for 9/10 years at different lengths but I am willing to do this to raise as much as I can for charity. I said that if I raised more than £1,500, I would shave my hair off too, so looks like that’s now happening!
“I just want to say a huge thank you to everyone for their very generous donations to support young cancer patients. Russ is more like a brother than a cousin to me so everyone’s support really means a lot.”
Oscar’s mum, Joanna Tosdevin explains the story behind the fundraising efforts:
“On Near Year’s Day, Russell and I noticed that Oscar’s legs weren’t moving. An out of hours GP appointment at St Mary’s resulted in us being rushed to Southampton in the early hours of the 2nd January for scans. It was such a horrible shock finding out that Oscar was diagnosed with a Neuroblastoma Tumor. Emergency surgery took place and Oscar is due to have his 3rd round of chemotherapy next week and his last round is due in March. Oscar is doing really well and fortunately not having too many side effects from the chemotherapy.
“We chose to support CLIC Sargent as they made everything a lot simpler. We had a lovely CLIC Sargent Social Worker called Nicky who checks in regularly with us, providing emotional support and helping with financial grants from the charity and other charities. We also got to stay in the charity’s “Home from Home” called Jean’s House, which was a great help. When we talked with George about him setting up a fundraising page and we thought his idea of raising £1,500 might be pushing it a bit, we were overwhelmed when the page raised £8,500 in two days.”
Liz Blunt, Fundraising Engagement Manager at CLIC Sargent, has said:
“I am so pleased to hear that Oscar’s treatment is going well and it has been such a pleasure to chat with Joanna and George. It’s really touching that the local community have really pulled together to support an obviously much loved, popular family.
“Coping with a cancer diagnosis with your child is hard enough and so difficult to have the added complications that Covid-19 brings too. We are incredibly grateful to the family for their support and wish baby, Oscar and not forgetting his 3 year old brother Theo our very best wishes.”
You too can donate to George’s fundraising page by visiting https://www.facebook.com/donate/441856210567795/3817996711556350/. It’s also possible to drop off donations towards the fundraising at Chivertons Newsagents (Cowes), Stag Lane Motors (Newport), Crocker Street Garage (Newport) and Brownrigg’s Farm Shop (Godshill).
