A family fundraising in memory of their five-year-old son has now raised £250,000 for research into rhabdomyosarcoma.
After Jake Ellis passed away from the soft tissue cancer in 2008, his parents, Jo-ann and Nick, set up Team Jake, a Children’s Cancer and Leukaemia Group (CCLG) Special Named Fund, to help find better, kinder and more effective treatments to support other families faced with a rhabdomyosarcoma diagnosis in the future.
Since then, along with their family, friends and the local community in their hometown of Barrow-in-Furness, they have been tirelessly raising funds and awareness, and reached the incredible milestone last month (February) following a Valentine’s Day raffle.
Reflecting on their fundraising, Jo-ann spoke of the family’s pride, how it has exceeded all expectations, and how important it has been to them.
She said: “We feel very emotional that we have been able to reach such a high amount of money.
“When we began raising funds, we certainly never thought it would reach this amount, but we have had a massive response over the years to everything we do.
“We never had a set amount of money in our minds as we just wanted to keep Jake’s memory alive and help find a cure or better survival rates to this aggressive form of cancer.
“It has kept us going through dark times. Losing a child is the worse pain and heartache anyone could ever experience, so having charitable events in Jake’s name has kept us focused and knowing that other children could benefit, with better, less aggressive treatments, has helped us take steps in the grieving process.
“Jake was a kind and caring child, who was loved by many and still is. He will be bursting with pride, not only for us as his parents, but for his siblings, Luke and Poppy, and for the friends and family that have pieced us back together over the years, supporting us emotionally and caring for our family along the way.
“I think we all are very proud of our hard work and dedication to raising these funds.”
Over the past 14 years, the family and their supporters have walked, ran and cycled huge distances for the cause, in addition to organising countless raffles, cake sales and many other events and activities, including the annual Jake Ellis Ball.
Jo-ann, who has herself ran the London Marathon and took on the gruelling Keswick to Barrow walking challenge, said: “So many have contributed to some of these events over the years, and the support has been incredible.
“I think mine and Nick’s personal favorite was the London to Paris Bike Ride.
“It was an amazing experience to do such a tough challenge every day for three consecutive days, along with eight other amazing people.
“None us gave up on the challenge, and between us all we raised £30,000.
“It was an experience none of us will ever forget, and to take Jake’s picture with us along the way and to raise our bikes at the end in front of the Eiffel Tower, was a proud and rewarding experience.”
Since setting up the fund, the Ellis family have been backed by a legion of supporters in Barrow, something which epitomises the close-knit community of the town, according to Jo-ann.
She added: “Barrow is a small town and there are many local charity organisations, so we initially thought it might be hard to raise funds locally, but how wrong we were!
“Everyone has come together like they always do and supported Jake’s fund from the beginning.
“We can’t thank the people of Barrow enough for all their support over the years, and will always be in awe of the help they have given us.
“It’s been tough, emotional and stressful, but we wouldn’t swap it for the world, knowing that with all their help, we are really making a difference.”
Ashley Ball-Gamble, CEO CCLG, said: “It’s always inspiring and humbling when families turn their own tragedy into something that will benefit other children and families.
“We’re so grateful to Jo-ann and Nick for their fundraising and support over the last 14 years, and reaching the milestone of £250,000 is an amazing achievement.
“Despite huge progress in childhood cancer over the last 45 years, sadly still one in five children won’t survive their cancer.
“Further research is needed to find more effective treatments, and kinder treatments with fewer toxic side effects, until we achieve our vision that no child will die of cancer, and all those diagnosed will go on to live long, healthy and happy lives.
“The quarter of a million pounds raised by Team Jake, with the support of the community in Barrow, has supported a wide range of world-class research projects over the last decade, helping us to better understand rhabdomyosarcoma, and explore new treatment options for those whose disease doesn’t respond to treatment or comes back after initial treatment.
“With the support of families like Jo-ann and Nick, we’ll continue to invest in research for as long as it takes.”