Duke backing efforts to help brave tumour boy
Jul 30 2008 by Brian Daniel, The Journal
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But the brave youngster had to go back for treatment when doctors realised the tumour was regrowing on his brain. He is now in the second of a six-week, 30-session radiotherapy programme to eradicate any cancerous cells.
And the Duke of Northumberland is helping to raise funds towards the punishing petrol costs faced by Matthew’s family on their five-day-a-week, 70-mile round trip from their Shilbottle home to Newcastle General Hospital.
Ratcheugh Crag, his private observatory near Alnwick, will be open to visitors this Sunday to help raise money.
Parents Vicki, 31, and 36-year-old Rob, who is in the RAF, are spending between £80 and £100 a week on fuel.
Full-time mum Vicki said: “We have tried to cut back on doing the family things, which is fine, but it does get very expensive.
“But we are lucky because we have met people in the hospital who have not been as lucky as us in terms of keeping their jobs and that is when it gets extremely difficult.”
Matthew, who has an older brother Daniel, eight, fell ill in November 2006 and was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumour last January. He was initially given the all-clear in March this year, before surgeons spotted the regrowth.
Alnwick Lions are helping the fundraising effort and approached the Duke about his observatory.
Member Graham Luke, whose daughter is a friend of the family, said: “We have felt ever since this young lad was born he has had a rough passage through life and we would like to help him and his family as much as possible.”
Vicki said the family were very grateful for all the support.
She said: “They have really taken a fantastic interest in him. When the regrowth was diagnosed, Graham jumped in straightaway, they were keen to do something as soon as they possibly could.
“Graham rallied again and off they went and organised all this and it was absolutely brilliant.”
The observatory was built as a Folly in 1784 under the general direction of Robert Adam, around the same time as the estate’s Brizlee Tower. The building in its present form was completed by 1809.
The unique opportunity to see the site is from 11am to 4pm. People are invited to bring a picnic and free parking is available. No dogs are allowed. There will be no charge on the day, but people will be encouraged to make donations.
To find out more, phone the Lions on 0845 8335931.
