Frank was a happy-go-lucky young boy with an infectious smile and a larger-than-life spirit that touched the hearts of everyone who knew him. His teachers described him as the “life and soul” and his friends described him as “kind” and “funny”. He loved his sport, trips to the theatre, sleepovers with friends and watching his beloved Chelsea FC on the pitch.
In April 2016, at just 11 years old, he was delivered the devastating news that he had Ewing sarcoma. The 12 months that followed presented challenges that no child should ever have to face: 14 rounds of chemotherapy, 2 months of proton beam therapy in the United States, and a gruelling 8-hour operation to remove both his tumour and a large section of his pelvis.
One year later, in April 2017, Frank was finally declared cancer-free, and his family were awe-inspired by his courage in learning to walk again and in returning to school. But by September, just five months into his remission, Frank was delivered another devastating blow when consultants confirmed that his illness had returned.
His treatment resumed to fight this cruel disease, including additional rounds of harsh chemotherapy and radiotherapy, which he battled with a smile on his face and resilience far beyond his years. Despite doctor's best efforts to save his life, he sadly passed away on 9th February 2019 at just 14 years old.
Following his death, Mike, Louise and Maisy, Frank's parents and sister, set up Frank's Fund, a Special Fund of the Bone Cancer Research Trust. The fund was set up in his memory to raise as much money as possible to further research into new treatments for Ewing sarcoma.
Frank's family, friends, the Harrogate community and beyond have been fundraising non-stop to raise as much money as they can through a vast array of fundraising activities. From comedy nights to quiz nights, a Footsteps for Frank walk, and every sporting challenge you can imagine... even getting a beer brewed in Frank's name! And now, having hit the £300,000 milestone, their phenomenal efforts have raised enough money to fund six years of crucial research.
Kate Connor, Community Fundraising Manager at the Bone Cancer Research Trust, said:
We are incredibly grateful to Frank's family, friends and all of their supporters for their remarkable efforts. The funds will be put to good use to provide hours of vital research into kinder and more effective treatment options for Ewing sarcoma. On behalf of all future patients, their families and all of us here at the charity, I would like to wish a heartfelt thanks to the incredible team behind Frank's Fund – you are all truly inspirational and invaluable in our fight against this cruel disease.
To find out more about Frank's Fund, please visit:
To find out more about setting up a Special Fund, please visit: