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Parents Chris and Jenny Byrne will be powered on to cross the finish line at the London Landmarks Half Marathon on Sunday, to support the Warwick charity which helped them through their daughter’s cancer battle nine years ago.

The couple, from Wolverhampton, are running through the capital in aid of Molly Ollys, the children’s charity that supported them following Rosie’s leukemia diagnosis, in 2015.

The charity was established in Warwick in 2011 by Rachel and Tim Ollerenshaw, of Hatton Park, following the death of their eight-year-old daughter Molly from a rare kidney cancer.

During Rosie’s treatment – and following two periods in intensive care at Birmingham Children’s Hospital – Molly Ollys granted the three-year-old a special wish to follow in the footsteps of her favourite character on a guided Paddington Bear tour of London.

The family’s life changed forever just a few weeks after Rosie’s third birthday when she was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.

Jenny explained: “She was fit and well but the day after her third birthday party we noticed she had got a limp which got progressively worse and after a number of tests and scans they couldn’t really work out what the problem was.

“Eventually she couldn’t bear any weight and an MRI scan showed she had lesions through the major bones in her body. They knew then that she’d got a form of cancer but couldn’t determine immediately what type.

“She had no other signs of illness like infections or bruising – none of the classic symptoms you associate with leukaemia. But we were told to pray that it was leukaemia because it’s the easiest cancer to treat.”

Chris added: “It’s like the rug had been pulled from underneath us. Everything came to an end and normal life just stopped there and then. We felt like we were in a black hole. You don’t ever think something like this will happen to you, it always happens to somebody else – but it did happen to us and it was an incredibly hard time.”

A three-year treatment plan got under way immediately, including regular chemotherapy, scans and blood tests. And it was during the darkest of those times that the family found Molly Ollys as Rosie fought for her life during two periods in intensive care – in close succession.

Jenny, who is headteacher at SS Peter & Paul Primary in Wolverhampton, said: “We started reading a Paddington Bear book she had chosen while she was in intensive care in the hospital ward, thinking she may be able to hear us. When she came round she remembered it and even knew where we were up to in the story and wanted to carry it on – and that started a great love of Paddington Bear for her.

“We thought we were very lucky that she is still with us and, for her and her brothers, we ought to make some special and lasting memories because she was so vulnerable.”

In 2016 Molly Ollys organised an overnight stay and Paddington Bear tour of London for Rosie and her family, including Portobello Market, Paddington Station, the station café and London Zoo, which also featured in one of the books. They even gifted Rosie a kiddy camera to help document her trip.

“She was in her element. You could tell how special she felt. It made such a difference to her. This incredible, selfless, family-oriented charity made a significant impact on the whole family at a time when we all needed it most,” added Jenny.

Rosie also became the proud owner of one of the charity’s mascot toy lions – a therapeutic cuddly toy called Olly The Brave. Olly has his own Hickman line and a detachable mane which helps to explain and normalise the effects of chemotherapy. These also form part of an Olly The Brave pack that has now been handed out to more than 40 hospitals, along with a book from the charity’s exclusive Olly The Brave series.

Rachel Ollerenshaw of Molly Ollys, recalls: “Rosie’s wish to follow in the steps of Paddington Bear is one that I will always remember, such a lovely thing to ask for. I had the pleasure of meeting Rosie and her family in 2015. They have been very supportive over the years and we are so grateful. Wishing Jenny and Chris all the best for the run at the weekend.”

Today, 12-year-old Rosie has not looked back since ringing the bell at BCH to signal an end to her treatment in May 2018. A student at St Edmunds Academy, today she enjoys an active lifestyle, including Park Runs and playing for her local cricket team. She also took part in last month’s Wolverhampton 10k.

But Jenny and Chris have vowed to never stop ‘giving back’ to the charities which helped them during the most challenging chapter of their lives together and they’re looking forward to hopefully improving on their time at their second London Landmarks Half Marathon on Sunday.

The event, organised by baby charity Tommy’s, sees runners follow a route from Pall Mall to Downing Street, passing Westminstger Bridge and a series of landmarks on the way. It has raised more than £37.5m since it began in 2018.

“We’ve trained together more this time so we’re looking to enjoy it more. It’s a great event with a spectacular route and lots of different entertainment and last time it was big physical challenge to get around it and didn’t appreciate the atmosphere and how amazing it is to do it in London. This time we’re hoping that we can take it in a bit more and it will be really special,” Jenny said.

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Brides-to-be will have the opportunity to bag a bougie bargain while also supporting two Warwick charities, at a fundraising Wedding Fayre in Warwick.

More than 40 brand new wedding dresses and accessories in a variety of styles and sizes will be available to buy at knockdown prices during the one-off event, organised by The Gap Community Centre on May 18^th.

The gowns, worth a total £80k, were donated to Molly Ollys by Boho Bride when it closed its doors at Stratford Garden Centre last year.

Boho Bride’s Lynette Turner said: “We had a lot of dresses that we couldn’t take with us, so after our sample sale we decided to donate the remaining dresses and accessories to Molly Ollys.

“I have always supported children’s local charities, including schools, and wanted to be able to continue my support by donating over 40 dresses to help children and their families, who are going through a very difficult time.

“The work that Molly Ollys do to help very sick children and make their families’ lives a little bit better is very important. Making children’s wishes come true is a very special gift for all the family, enabling them to share those precious moments and make forever memories. The more donations that are made, the more children and their families can benefit from the charity’s support.”

Molly Ollys was established in 2011 by Rachel and Tim Ollerenshaw following the death of their eight-year-old daughter Molly from a rare kidney cancer.

The Warwick-based charity works to support children with terminal or life-limiting illnesses and their families and help with their emotional wellbeing as well as providing wishes and donating therapeutic toys and books to both children directly and to hospitals throughout the UK.

The therapeutic toy lion called Olly The Brave who has his own Hickman line and a detachable mane which helps to explain and normalise the effects of chemotherapy. These form part of an Olly The Brave pack that has now been handed out to more than 70 hospitals or health centres, along with a set of books from the charity’s exclusive Olly The Brave series.

Alongside the dresses – available in sizes 10-22 – there will be accessories to buy, including shoes, underwear, and head pieces, plus stalls from local businesses offering wedding-related services. Companies taking part include Simply Unique Ceremonies, Tora Wilson – Soprano, The Northants Roadshow, Brides & Blooms florist, Ultimate Fireworks, Zilfarni Soaps and Scents, The Tipsy Traveller Bar Hire, Beadie Productions Photography, Templespa, Beetle Bugs Wedding car Hire, and Lindsey Kay Bridal.

Each of the businesses is also contributing to a raffle on the day, with the chance to win prizes including a hand-tied bouquet, gift hampers, photography session, pamper class and fireworks.

Proceeds from the raffle and stalls will help The Gap continue its important work reducing loneliness and social and financial isolation in Warwick, bringing people together by running its vital community togetherness activities. The Gap’s activities and services are a lifeline for community members who would otherwise find it hard to meet people, providing essential support for their emotional health and wellbeing. The Gap also provides rooms for hire at reasonable prices for special occasions such as wedding parties.

Rachel Ollerenshaw said: “We are very grateful for the donation of the wedding dresses; it certainly was one of the more unusual donations we’ve received! In these challenging times with the rising cost of living, it is nice to think that we can offer brides the opportunity to have a fabulous dress at a greatly reduced price, that at the same time, gives back to charity.

“We also want to thank our friends at The Gap Community Centre, with particular thanks to Emma Joyce Smith and Amanda Burford for all their support and help to make this event happen. We look forward to meeting lots of brides!”

Organiser Emma Joyce Smith said: “It’s very exciting to be putting on our first wedding fair. Please do come along even if you’re not getting married because it’s free entry and there’ll be tea, coffee, and light refreshments.”

Amanda Burford, The Gap General Administration Manager said: “We’re very excited to be hosting a lovely opportunity to bring people together, which is what we’re all about. We can’t wait to meet all the happy couples we’ll be welcoming on the day.”

The Wedding Fayre, which is free to enter, takes place at The Gap, in Oakwood Grove, near Spinney Hill, Warwick CV34 5TD, between 2-5pm.

ABOUT MOLLY OLLYS:

 Throughout the 10 years Molly Ollys has been running, it has raised more than £4 million; granted more than 2,500 wishes; supported more than 16,000 children and distributed more than 13,000 Olly The Brave books to more than 70 hospitals.

The charity works alongside the NHS to support projects within the hospitals and the community. One key project was the creation and refurbishment of Magnolia House at Birmingham Children’s Hospital. This is a safe and non-clinical space where medical teams and families can have important discussions.

Molly Ollys is also responsible for funding the first ever consultant in paediatric palliative medicine at Birmingham Children’s Hospital, in 2018 and, at the end of last year, it further provided funding for two more consultants, doubling the number of existing roles in the region.

 Molly Olly’s Wishes need the support of companies and individuals to enable us to help more children. We welcome the opportunity to provide more information about our work. Please help us to make those dark days brighter. For details contact Rachel on 07747 854914.

 

ABOUT THE GAP:

The Gap, also known as Warwick Percy Estate Community Projects Ltd, is a registered charity and not-for-profit company, promoting community togetherness in Warwick for 21 years. We improve lives by providing a friendly community centre, and helping disadvantaged children, the elderly, and the community by running low-cost, inclusive activities and services.

We believe people are better together, and when people feel they belong, are valued and can be a part of something, Warwick is a happier place to be.

Our mission is leading the way to promote community togetherness and personal fulfilment by providing a safe and welcoming environment where people can meet and participate in social and physical activities; support groups; volunteering and learning, with the aim of enhancing overall quality of life.

Our work focuses on three key areas:

Disadvantaged children and young people: Gap Youth provides engaging, universal youth clubs at five locations in Warwick. We give young people, aged 7 to 16, a safe place to go to make friends, improve their social and life skills, and develop increased resilience, self-confidence, and aspirations. We also provide detached youth work in the community.

Isolated and lonely older adults: Gap Goldies provides weekly social and wellbeing activities for vulnerable elderly people. We help older adults find companionship and social connectedness, improved emotional and physical health, continuing independence, and a better quality of life.

Building stronger communities: Gap Community provides a friendly, welcoming community centre in North Warwick, hosting a variety of community groups, exercise classes, and services, where people can meet. We also run community outreach in the most deprived area of Warwick, helping low-income families with food and cost-of-living support.

Plus, we offer rooms-for-hire at the community centre, suitable for all occasions. Please phone 01926 494200 for more info or email admin@thegapwarwick.org.