Parents from Barton have opened up on the “shattering” death of their teenage son, who died from a brain tumour last year.
Diagnosed in early 2021, 13-year-old George Fox passed away in April 2022 after he was diagnosed with a glioblastoma.
The diagnosis came after he began suffering with headaches and vomiting.
Known to many as Gorgeous George from the fundraising page his parents set up to enable him to access pioneering treatment abroad, the teenager underwent multiple brain surgeries.
These included chemotherapy and radiotherapy, travelling to Germany and America for treatment, but it could not save his life.
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"Our lives have been shattered since we lost our little boy to brain cancer and sadly, only when he was diagnosed 11 months earlier did we find out that brain tumours are the biggest cancer killer of children and young people under the age of 40," said his parents Louise and Matt.
"We never believed this would happen to our family and want to do all we can to help fund research so that other families won’t have to face a life without their child."
Following George’s death, his family have become passionate supporters of Brain Tumour Research, campaigning for more funds for vital research into brain tumours.
Louise and Matt, along with their children Jamie and Issy, were given the opportunity to tour the research centre’s labs, speaking to scientists about their work and placing six tiles on a Wall of Hope, each one representing the £2,740 it costs to fund a day of research.
"We’ve been blown away by all the support we’ve had and are really grateful to our amazing friends and family for everything they’ve done to help this cause," said Louise.
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"Laying tiles on the Wall of Hope was emotional, but hearing about everything being done to find a cure was heartening and we left feeling hopeful for future patients."
Charlie Allsebrook, community development manager for Brain Tumour Research, added: "Despite enduring unimaginable heartbreak, admirably, Louise and Matt have found the strength to continue fundraising and campaigning in George’s name.
"We’re so grateful for their continued support."
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