A nine-year-old boy undergoing treatment for leukaemia has so far raised over £4,000 for Children’s Cancer and Leukaemia Group (CCLG) as he prepares to take on a sponsored walk this Saturday (25 September).
Arley Fenton, who was diagnosed with T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (TALL) in July, turns nine years old today (22 September), and was asked what he wanted to do for his birthday.
Despite currently undergoing intensive chemotherapy, kind-hearted Arley said that he wanted to do a walk to raise vital funds to support other children with cancer, as well as raise awareness during September’s Childhood Cancer Awareness Month (CCAM).
His mum Claire said: “It’s a lovely little walk he wants to do. The walk he has in his mind is a circular route in our local area, starting at the village pub in Wadesmill [Hertfordshire] and ending at the village shop.
“When asked why he wanted to do the walk, Arley simply said, ‘to stop children suffering and to help children survive’.
“Arley is very much about helping children that are suffering. When you say to him that he’s a part of it, he says, ‘I know but it’s about all the children going through this’.
“That’s just our boy, he’s a very thoughtful person. Through the whole of this, he’s just always been asking about other children and how they are.”
Claire explained that Arley is excited to have raised such a huge amount already and how he is aware of the potential impact of his fundraising and how it will help other children.
She added: “He’s really pleased, and it’s cheered him on. He’s very excited.
“Arley’s very aware and knowledgeable of where the money raised will be going, going towards the scientists and the research.
“We’re really excited about what he could potentially raise for CCLG.”
As well as fundraising, Arley is keen to raise awareness of all childhood cancers, having also seen his best friend undergoing treatment for a brain tumour.
Claire said: “It’s another reason why Arley wanted to make people aware [of childhood cancer], as he’s seen what his best friend has gone through and is still going through.
“It’s very important. If we can raise awareness, then that would be brilliant, too.”
Ellie Wilkinson, of CCLG’s Fundraising team, said: “It’s amazing to hear of Arley’s incredible fundraising and how his first thought when asked how he wants to celebrate his birthday is to think of others.
“We’re incredibly grateful for his efforts and just want to say a huge thank you to Arley and wish him good luck for his walk.”