CHESHIRE CHEF WHO LOST FOUR-YEAR-OLD SON URGES PEOPLE TO STAND UP TO CANCER

An award-winning private chef from Wilmslow, who lost his four-year-old son to cancer, is urging people across the North West to cook up some cash with a special Sunday Brunch for Stand Up To Cancer this October.

For over twenty years, Ernst Van Zyl has travelled the globe cooking for the rich and famous. He has worked in some of the country’s most renowned kitchens, including London’s Park Lane Hotel and the Radisson Manchester. But his world came crashing down when doctors discovered a cancerous tumour the size of a grapefruit growing behind his son’s kidney.

It was first thought that little Riley, who was three years old at the time, was showing symptoms of being constipated. But scans revealed a malignant rhabdoid tumour – a cancer so rare that the annual diagnosis rate for the disease is less than one per one million children in the UK.

After a short but bravely fought battle with the disease, Riley sadly passed away just six months after his diagnosis, in May 2012, and it was an experience that changed his father’s world forever.

Ernst, 43, has now revealed an elaborate sleeve tattoo on his right arm in memory of his son, featuring images of all the little boy’s favourite things. The inking depicts Riley’s favourite cartoon character Donkey Kong, a selection of Skylander video game characters, his favourite Oreo biscuits, and a tiger’s eye to represent his favourite song – Eye of the Tiger. It also features a clock which shows the precise date and the time that Riley passed away.

Ernst said: “Birthdays and Christmases are still particularly tough, as there’s always someone missing, and even today I still feel like I’ve lost half of myself. But Riley’s memory will always live on. My cheeky boy will never be forgotten. It’s comforting to have the tattoo as a visible reminder of my beautiful little boy. It is very personal to me, as it’s something I will always see and carry with me.”

Ernst recalls the day that doctors delivered the devastating diagnosis to him and his then-partner. He said: “We’d noticed that Riley was out of sorts, and at first thought that maybe he had a stomach bug or was over-eating and getting clogged up. But his symptoms just weren’t going away so we took him to the doctor to get checked out.

“Cancer was the last thing on our minds, but we started to get worried when he was referred for scans at Manchester Children’s Hospital – and it was there that our worst fears were confirmed. The tests showed a cancerous tumour the size of a grapefruit and we were told that Riley would be admitted into the hospital straight away. In that moment, our worlds changed forever.”

Over the months that followed, Riley received intensive radiotherapy treatment to reduce the size of the tumour behind his kidney, followed by an eleven-hour operation to remove the growth. But doctors unfortunately discovered during surgery that some of the tumour was attached to Riley’s spine and that the cancer was sadly terminal.

Ernst said: “The day the angels took Riley was absolutely heart-breaking. As a parent, your children should never go before you. I used to be the kind of person who always planned ahead and focused on the future, but now I seize the moment and live for the here and now. When you experience something like this, your life takes on a completely new meaning. Losing a child has made me realise that time isn’t limitless. In fact, it’s probably the most valuable commodity on earth.”

“During his treatment Riley lost his hair, had to be fed through a tube, and went through a number of painful procedures – but despite everything that was thrown at him, he never once complained. I used to visit him at the hospital after finishing my late shifts at work. Sometimes it would be as late as midnight, but my little lad would be there staying awake, just so that he could see me. His smile will always be etched on my mind.

“Riley was a real character – such a cheeky little boy with the most amazing smile. The day he was born, we fell in love with him straight away, but nothing could have prepared us for what was going to happen just a few years later. Although Riley is with the angels now, I’m determined to do all I can to help other families who are affected by cancer and to help future research into the disease.”

Ernst is lending his support to Stand Up To Cancer – a joint fundraising campaign from Cancer Research UK and Channel 4 which aims to get new cancer tests and treatments to people who need them the most.  

He is urging foodies and fundraisers alike to create a restaurant-style experience at home by hosting a brunch for their household – with family or housemates donating the bill to life-saving research. With over 40,000 people diagnosed with cancer every year in the North West, the Sunday Brunch for Stand Up To Cancer will help develop vital scientific breakthroughs for the many people affected by the disease.

Ernst said: “Losing a child to cancer has made me realise that we need more research into this disease, and I’m determined to do whatever I can to help more people survive. If sharing my story can go on to help even one other person, then that’s got to be a positive thing."

Ernst – who is also father to 15-year-old Lenina – is determined to channel his experience into something positive and is calling on people across the North West to support a special Sunday Brunch for Stand Up To Cancer. 

He said: “As a chef, I know how food can bring people together and would urge people across the North West to get involved and host their own Sunday brunch for Stand Up To Cancer. Charities have been hit hard during the coronavirus pandemic, and all the money raised will go into life-saving research. My family have experienced the devastating impact of cancer and we want to do all we can to free future generations from this disease.”

Supported by Channel 4 show Sunday Brunch, an array of celebrity chefs - including co-host Simon Rimmer - have donated recipes to the campaign.. From Davina McCall’s kedgeree, to Jamie Oliver’s super spinach pancakes and Asma Khan’s courgette sabzi – there’s something to suit everyone’s taste buds. Or participants can simply choose to conjure up their own culinary creations.   

Anna Taylor, Cancer Research UK spokesperson for the North West, said: “We’re incredibly grateful to Ernst for sharing his little boy’s experiences of cancer so openly and honestly. By sharing Riley’s story, he is helping us to continue our mission to beat cancer. This disease can affect anyone’s life, at any time so we only have one option: accelerate life-saving research.

“Thanks to the extra time spent at home lately, many of us now know our way around the kitchen much better than before. So why not get involved with a Sunday Brunch for Stand Up To Cancer and put these new-found culinary skills to use while inspiring guests to raise funds for an important cause.  

“Cooking a special Sunday brunch for your household is a safe and simple way to show support during these challenging times. By taking part you’ll be rewarded with more than just empty plates. The donations your family or housemates make in support of your efforts really could save lives.” 

For added inspiration, during October four special episodes of Sunday Brunch will be shown on Channel 4 showcasing some of the delicious Stand Up To Cancer recipes.  

People can sign up for a free fundraising kit at  su2c.org.uk/brunch with everything they need to turn their home into an exclusive brunch spot. A Sunday Brunch mug is also available from Stand Up To Cancer’s online shop.

Pictured - Ernst Van Zyl