Poorly Bridgnorth youngster Rupert, 6, heading to Barcelona for treatment as fund tops £254,000
Six-year-old cancer sufferer Rupert Beckett is preparing to travel from Bridgnorth to Barcelona for specialist treatment – thanks to a £254,000 donation fund.
The schoolboy was diagnosed with stage four high risk neuroblastoma more than three years ago.
His family have been fighting for him to undergo specialist treatment and had hoped to travel to America. Now it has emerged the therapy he needs is available in Spain.
Rupert, a pupil at Castlefields Primary School in Bridgnorth, underwent tests before Christmas and he will travel from his home in Stottesdon, near Bridgnorth, to Barcelona with parents Ed and Sarah later this month.
The chemo immunotherapy treatment is being funded by the Rupert’s Revenge Trust Fund which now stands at more than £254,000, all gathered from supporters who have organised events or given online.
It is still unknown what the final cost of the treatment will be for Rupert beyond the therapy – but his auntie Liz Beckett today thanked the community, which rallied to support him.
She said: “The funds have been raised through donations and many, many events and the kindness and generosity of the people of Bridgnorth and beyond, which has been remarkable.”
Rupert visited Barcelona for various tests in December before returning home to spend Christmas with his family.
The initial campaign aimed to raise £750,000 to help Rupert get rid of his ‘crocodile’ – Rupert’s name for his cancer.
The fundraising efforts included a first-of-its-kind concert, which was held within St Leonard’s Church in Bridgnorth.
In November, members of the West End cast of shows including Les Misérables, West Side Story, Miss Saigon and Phantom of the Opera joined together with people of the town for the concert.
The night raised a total of £18,447.64 after 750 people turned out – 185 of whom were part of the choir, some musicians and the rest audience members. This week, the campaign has received surprise cheques from the Bridgnorth Male Voice Choir, Jason Cole and the people of Chelmarsh as well as some fabulous sporting memorabilia for auction, including a 1966 England Football shirt signed by Sir Geoff Hurst.
The current fundraising total stands at £254,468. Anyone who would like to support Rupert’s Revenge in 2018 can visit rupertsrevenge.co.uk
