Home   Sheerness   News   Article

Minster lad Oliver Smith's mum Natalie set to walk roof of O2 to raise funds for neuroblastoma treatment

Oliver Smith won star of the week at Halfway Houses Primary School
Oliver Smith won star of the week at Halfway Houses Primary School

The mum of a schoolboy with cancer is hoping to kick-start his fundraising campaign again this year in a bid to help give her son a chance at life.

Five-year-old Oliver Smith has the childhood cancer neuroblastoma and his family are trying to raise money for treatment he could need in Germany if his condition worsens, which could cost up to £500,000.

He has already had aggressive chemotherapy to fight it and the disease has left him with hearing and sight problems, meaning he is registered blind and has to wear hearing aids.

A tumour remains in his head which at the moment is stable but he could still relapse at any time, which 80% of children with the cancer do, and then he would need the pioneering treatment abroad which isn’t available here.

Times Guardian readers have been supporting Halfway Houses Primary School pupil Oliver since June 2011 by holding a series of events.

O2 Arena, Greenwich
O2 Arena, Greenwich

There is currently around £80,000 in the fundraising account, set up through charity Families Against Neuroblastoma, which is less than the total that had been pledged at some of the initiatives as sometimes the actual amount of sponsorship received wasn’t as much as expected.

Oliver’s mum Natalie, of Coral Road, Minster, said: “The people on this Island have been fantastic with their support and I am so grateful for everything they have done.

“I still need to raise the money to give Oliver that chance at life.”

The 30-year-old has already started planning fundraising ideas for this year and will be walking over The O2 in Greenwich, London.

The Oliver Smith Appeal - A Sheerness Times Guardian campaign
The Oliver Smith Appeal - A Sheerness Times Guardian campaign

She’s hoping to sign up people to join her in the challenge and get sponsored in support of Oliver.

There will also be another fundraiser organised by lawyer Karina Chetwynd at the Leysdown boot-fair ground.

That will be on Saturday, July 26, and there will be lots of activities making up the family fun day.

Meanwhile last week, proud Oliver was made ‘star of the week’ at school for being thoughtful towards his other classmates.

Close This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies.Learn More