Josh makes great strides in support of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month

Josh Butterworth, from Hartford, was a normal 13-year-old football mad teenager when he was diagnosed with Leukaemia in earlier this year.

A student at Hartford High School, Josh wasn’t going to be deterred by his diagnosis and set out to fundraise for local children’s cancer charity The Joshua Tree.

In the last four months Josh has courageously endured 15 bone marrow aspirates and lumbar punctures, 64 rounds of chemo/immunotherapy following which he suffered a stroke induced by the toxic chemotherapy drugs. The list doesn’t end there, he continued his treatment with 13 blood/platelet transfusions, 14 MRI/CT scans and spent 49 nights in hospital away from his family and friends. Not to mention the steroid and antibiotic tablets he has had to take during his three years of treatment to help cure him of cancer.

Unphased by all he has had to endure, Josh took on the challenge of walking and cycling 64 miles during September, which marks Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, a mile for every chemo/immunotherapy treatment he has had. Josh has exceeded this milestone and has completed a total of 110 miles.

Smashing his personal target Josh has raised a staggering £5,000 to help support families, like his, affected by a childhood cancer diagnosis.

Danielle Percival Head of Family Support commented "Having witnessed first-hand how a cancer diagnosis can impacted the whole family, what Josh has achieved even whilst facing the toughest time of his 13 years is just incredible. We feel so honoured to be chosen as the charity to benefit from his fabulous efforts and generous donations for this inspiring challenge."

To donate towards Josh's amazing challenge, please donate via The Joshua Tree's:

Just Giving page.

The Joshua Tree, to date, have received over 320 referrals of families affected by childhood cancers.

Children’s cancer charity, The Joshua Tree was founded in 2006 by Lynda and David Hill after their son was diagnosed with leukaemia and discovered a distinct lack in support services for all family members during the traumatic experience of childhood cancer.  The charity works to support and improve the emotional well-being and mental health of all family members affected by childhood cancer, in the North-West of England and North Wales, for as long as they need it.

To help expand and enrich the delivery of this service the charity completed the construction of a new purpose-built support centre in Sandiway, Cheshire after 13 years of fundraising! The charity does not receive any statutory funding and relies on fundraising from events like The Arley Hall Christmas Shopping Spectacular to help support families affected by childhood cancers.

Pictured - Josh Butterworth, from Hartford.