Charity goal in a grandson's name

By BARBARA WARD

Residents of a village are joining forces to raise money for a charity that supports brain tumour research.
A Grand Tea Party is being held a week tomorrow at Elston Village Hall.

The main organiser is Mrs Fiona Morland of The Spinney, whose grandson, Alfie Jack Morland, died of an inoperable brain tumour in June, aged five months.

Mrs Morland, a former chairman of Elston Parish Council, said: “Since Alfie’s death it is amazing how many of the people I’ve met have been affected by this terrible disease and how unaware they are of the help that is available to them.”

Mrs Morland’s son Rob, who many years ago worked at The Grove swimming pool at Balderton, is now an engineer and lives with his wife, Lucy, in St Albans. Alfie was their first child.

Alfie died only 16 days after becoming ill and a week after he was diagnosed. At first doctors put his illness down to a virus, although his parents were sure it was something more serious.

The couple were anxious to do something for future sufferers in Alfie’s name. So Alfie now has a named fund within the charity, the Samantha Dickson Brain Tumour Trust, and his family and friends are aiming to raise £10,000.

The trust exists to find a cure for childhood and adult brain tumours through funding research. It also supports and provides information to patients and their carers.
Since its foundation in 1996 it has raised £4m and is the largest brain tumour charity in the UK.

The trust has already given more than £44,000 to work being carried out by Professor David Walker at Nottingham University into shortening the time from symptoms to diagnosis of brain tumour in children and young adults.

Mrs Morland is hoping that £1,000 can be raised from the tea party. There has already been £500-worth of donations from local businesses, now known as Alfie’s Angels.

Young mums in the village are organising a raffle, tombola and refreshments at the tea party.

Christmas cards will be on sale and there will be a bring and buy stall. There will also be a recycling point for mobile phones.

The tea party coincides with International Brain Tumour Awareness Week and a memory board will be set up in the hall for photographs and details of anyone touched by the disease.

Mrs Morland said: “During this week we will be remembering not just Alfie, but Phil Cragg, Gil Morley, Hilary Adams and all those who have been affected by the disease.”

The tea party runs from 2.30pm to 4.30pm. Entry is £2.

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