Friday, 10 July 2009

Spencer's Story




On December 11th 2006, our lives changed forever, Spencer had been complaining of tummy ache for the previous two nights, as it was most unusual of him to be ill, I decided to take him to our Doctors for a check up. I managed to get an appointment straight away and it soon became apparent that this was more than just a tummy bug!

The Doctor immediately transferred us to the Royal Alexander Children’s Hospital in Brighton for further investigations and this was when the true nightmare began! As time went on, he was given various scans and x-rays and you could tell that the consultants investigating were becoming more senior as the day wore on! Eventually the same afternoon the consultants gathered round and gave us the devastating news – Spencer had cancer, there was a possibility that it was either Wilms or Neuroblastoma, but they did say they thought it was Neuroblastoma! I can recall to this day that I said “that is good then” and everybody just looked around with grief etched on their faces – I knew then that it was indeed very bad news.

We stayed in Brighton hospital overnight and the next morning, Spencer was so seriously ill that an ambulance took us straight to Marsden with the sirens going and flashing lights on. It was confirmed that Spencer had neuroblastoma and the disease was widespread. The main tumour was very large and was attached to his left adrenal gland; it had also spread to his lymphatic glands in his neck.
We spent most of 2007 in and out of various hospitals across Brighton and London, more time in than out! Spencer has undergone various treatments, all very hard and pretty horrific.

Here is a brief diary of the main parts of the treatment below:

1. Biopsy, bone marrow and insertion of central line – December 14th 2006
Spencer was admitted to St Georges Hospital, Tooting, where he went for his first general anaesthetic: they took a biopsy of the tumour and also checked his bone marrow. He had a central line (Hickman line) fitted so they could administer his drugs throughout forthcoming treatments without having to keep inserting needles in him.

2. Surgery – April 2007
Surgery was carried out at St Georges Hospital: the surgery lasting eight, nail biting stressful hours, but was very successful. We spent nine days here, two of these with Spencer in intensive care.

3. Stem cell transplant and high dose chemotherapy – June 2007
Unfortunately, as always throughout Spencer’s treatment – things didn’t go to plan and it took seven attempts to try and obtain enough bone marrow for his transplant, in the end they decided to go with what they managed to obtain, but it was below the minimum level, however after so many attempts they decided they had to go with it. Throughout high dose he contracted a virus and ended up in isolation at the Royal Marsden for seven long weeks. We also had another stay in intensive care as his organs began to fail, but fortunately he soon recovered.

4. Radiotherapy – August 2007
This involved travelling daily to the Royal Marsden for three weeks. He went under a general anaesthetic everyday for radiotherapy which lasted twenty minutes.

Unfortunately on November 27th 2007 Spencer was feeling poorly and admitted to Brighton Hospital, regrettably the cancer had returned and there was no cure. Even Spencer must have known, because he turned to us and pleaded "no more needles, Mummy and Daddy". We came home with Spencer on Friday 7th December, we were told that he would not have long to live, as the cancer was so aggressive.
On the 4th January Spencer passed peacefully away at home, his last words were “night night girls, love you”

He is our brave little monkey and will be forever in our hearts.

Thursday, 9 July 2009

Our Fundraising




















After standing in Dublin watching Paul complete the marathon in a personal best time, I was overcome with emotion watching thousands of people complete this challenge, a lot of them for causes close to their hearts. Having witnessed the havoc cancer can bring, a very special little boy has inspired me to get off my behind and try to complete a challenge of my own in order raise precious funds for a very worthy cause.


I know that Amanda wants to raise funds for the Remember Spencer Fund so that they can help the charities that have helped them and no doubt complete her personal marathon for her cheeky monkey too.

So over the next 9 months think of us both plugging away at our training with the final aim to complete and (hopefully!) finish the Dublin Marathon 2009 on the 26th October later this year. We are neither speedy nor graceful but we promise to do our best!

If you want to give us some moral support we are doing a 10k run in Bognor Regis on the Sunday 17th May 2009 and two half marathons on Sunday 7th June and 16th August 2009, both in Seaford, East Sussex.

To help us raise money for this fantastic cause please donate by either clicking on the make a donation link and pay by debit or credit card using PayPal or send cheques payable to Spencer Roberts Memorial Fund.

Of course if any of you fancy a long weekend in Dublin we’d love to see you there as well – you can shop and drink for us!

Anna Dilley, now part of "Team Spence"

Currently the other members of "Team Spence" are Paul Roberts, John Durnford, Mark Taylor and Pete Stevens, the "professionals", they are all seasoned marathon runners and are right behind us in our training and will be giving us vital support during the coming months.

Also Keith Briffett will be raising money by competing in the Sussex Triathlon at the end of May.

We are always on the look out for new "members" and fund raising ideas, so if you think you can help, please get in touch with us.

Thank you for your continued support.

Wednesday, 8 July 2009

Make a Donation

Donating is easy, and you don't need a PayPal account to donate, please click on the PayPal Donate button if you wish to pay by credit or debit card, or alternatively please make cheques payable to Spencer Roberts Memorial Fund and send to us at the following address:-

Spencer Roberts Memorial Fund
PO Box 136
Peacehaven
Sussex
BN10 9BG






Tuesday, 7 July 2009

Special Thanks

We really appreciate any donations, as the money will help so many children and their families. Please be assured that every penny raised will go directly where needed and hopefully give a little bit of hope in their fight against childhood cancer.

Thank You so much to the following donors:-


Name

Donation

Date

Comments

Karen McLaughlin

£3.00

27/01/10

Good Luck with the weight loss Mary xx.

Trish Phillips

£27.00

26/01/10

Donation instead of sending Christmas cards to colleagues.

St Margarets Church Rottingdean

£800.00

24/01/10

Kindly donated by the Parishioners of St Margarets Church.

Paul Holden

£15.00

23/01/10

Good Luck Mary with the sponsored slim.

Joyce Lewis

£20.00

23/01/10

Good Luck Mary with the sponsored slim.

David Hall

£154.00

20/01/10

Always happy to support this worthy cause.

Caroline Blencowe

£25.00

19/01/10

Go Mary - we're happy to lose the £'s if you can lose the lb's! Best wishes to Amanda, Paul & Amalia - remembering dear little Spencer, love Caroline, Steve, Phoebe, Josh & Cal xxxxxx

Julie Lovis

£20.00

04/01/10

In memory of Spencer love Julie & Paul Lovis and family xx

Amanda, Paul & Amalia

£20.00

04/01/10

Forever our cheeky monkey, now flying with his angel wings. Miss you so much our little Spence. Mummy, Daddy and Amalia xxxxx

Anna and Jon Dilley

£10.00

04/01/10

Never forgotten little man. Love all the Dilleys xxxx

Tina & Dave Worrall

£20.00

04/01/10

Thinking of Spencer, Amanda, Paul, and Amalia. Not just today, tomorrow but always. D,T,O and T xxxx

Dave Twist

£5.00

01/01/10

With Best Wishes Dave & Family

Amanda Roberts

£1.50

30/12/09

Had to make it up to the £6000 mark - YAHOO and thanks everybody for all your support! With love Amanda, Paul and Amalia xxxxx

Pete Roberts

£26.20

30/12/09

Well done Bro and sister in law in the marathon with love Pete & Mum

Lisa and Nigel Murphy

£30.00

29/12/09

Thinking of you all with love Nigel and Lisa

Mary Rowe

£20.00

25/12/09

For our little nephew, never forgotten & always in our hearts today on Christmas Day & always love you & miss you so much. Aunty Mary, Uncle Andy & your cousins Amy & Alfie xxx


Emris Owen

£5.00

22/12/09

Best Wishes from Old Colwyn

Elayne Merry

£30.00

22/12/09



Dave & Debbie Browning

£10.00

20/12/09

Donation instead of sending Christmas cards to colleagues

Carly Reigler

£10.00

18/12/09

Donation instead of sending Christmas cards to colleagues

Lisa's Marathon Sponsorship Money

£105.10

17/12/09

Well Done Lisa on Completing the Marathon, Love Family & Friends

Brett

£32.64

17/12/09

Collection from Bretts Taxi

Dave Hall

£65.00

04/12/09

Support for such a worthy cause

Jons Nan

£25.00

04/12/09

Well done Anna

Sue & Jo Dilley

£20.00

04/12/09

Good Luck Anna

Michelle Goldfinch

£20.00

04/12/09

Go Girl!

Gary & Kelly

£20.00

04/12/09

Good Luck from Kelly & Gary

Jo Bleach

£10.00

04/12/09

Good Luck Anna

Gavin and Lucy Deeble

£15.00

04/12/09

Good Luck from us all xxxx

Mick Dilley

£10.00

04/12/09

Good Luck Anna

Lin Simpson

£5.00

04/12/09

Well done Anna

Pete Stevens

£188.00

04/12/09

Well done Pete from all your family and friends

Amanda's Colleagues in Finance

£80.00

30/11/09

Well done and Good Luck xxxx

Rainbows Coffee Fund Peacehaven

£10.65

20/11/09

In memory of Spencer xxxx

Sponsorship for Mark Taylor

£424.00

13/11/09

Well done Mark from all your friends and family

Pam Kelly

£30.00

11/11/09

A truly magnificant effort, well done Anna xx

Nick Kelly

£20.00

11/11/09

Well done everybody, an impressive year of running!

Jon Dilley

£26.20

11/11/09

For Dublin, well done my love xx

Jon Dilley

£13.10

11/11/09

For the Seaford Half xx

Joe & Niamh Dilley

£26.20

11/11/09

Go Mummy Go! xx

Diane Marshall

£5.00

11/11/09

Well done

Joe Dilley

£1.50

11/11/09

Well done Mummy xxx

David Kelly

£5.00

11/11/09

Well done Anna

Kate & Graham

£5.00

11/11/09



Doreen Rowe

£10.00

08/11/09

Well done Everybody lots of love Mum

Joyce Page

£10.00

08/11/09

Well done Paul & Amanda

Jean from Church

£5.00

08/11/09

Well done Paul & Amanda

Yvonne from Church

£5.00

08/11/09

Well done Paul & Amanda

Patricia from Church

£5.00

01/11/09

Well done Paul & Amanda

Terry from Church

£5.00

01/11/09

Well done Paul & Amanda

Sally from Church

£20.00

01/11/09

Well done Paul & Amanda

Zoe Lamb

£10.00

30/10/09



Liz Mcvey

£10.00

28/10/09



Paridae Ltd (T/A CorpseClothing)

£20.00

26/10/09

Good Luck

Fi Borthwick

£20.00

26/10/09

Good Luck Everyone! Wish we could be there to see you. xxxx

Trevor Pynn

£20.00

23/10/09



Denise Day

£26.00

23/10/09



Brett

£21.02

17/10/09

Collection from Bretts taxi

Sponsorship for Deirdre Parker 5km race

£80.00

17/10/09

Well done Deirdre from friends & family xxx

Sponsorship for Lisa Durnford 5km race

£95.00

17/10/09

Well done Lisa from friends & family xxx

Ann McBryer

£60.00

13/10/09

Good Luck Amanda, such a worthwhile cause Love Ann & Colin xxx

Lou Claxton

£20.00

13/10/09

Good Luck Anna & Amanda in Dublin, with love, Lou, Dave and Ruby xxx

Ross Greenhill

£10.00

10/10/09

Good Luck in Dublin, from the Greenhills in Scotland

Colette Lewis-Head

£10.00

08/10/09

Good Luck in Dublin, John

Mary Jones

£10.00

05/10/09



Cynthia & Don

£60.00

02/10/09

Thinking of you all, with love from Colwyn Bay

Karen Crosthwaite

£51.00

30/09/09

Lloyds TSB dress down day

Dave Hall

£68.00

29/09/09

Best Wishes from family & friends of Dave

Dave Hall

£73.00

22/09/09



Carol Parker

£100.00

15/09/09

Sponsorship for Carol for completing Seaford 5KM - well done!

Michelle Bunce

£36.00

12/09/09

Sponsorship for Michelle for completing Seaford half marathon - well done!

Catherine Richardson

£10.00

08/09/09

Keep up the good work love C,T,B & C

Davinia Wynne

£5.00

07/09/09


In memory of Paul's Gran, Gladys Jones

£366.00

01/09/09

Donations received in memory of Gladys.

SAMA Karate Organisation Peacehaven

£400.00

28/08/09

Well done & Good Luck from all at SAMA Peacehaven.

Doreen Rowe

£20.00

28/08/09

Well done Andrew for Saturday 29th August. Love Mum xxx.

Margaret Darby

£25.00

26/08/09

Best wishes and good luck with your fundraisng.

Alistair Mills

£20.00

24/08/09

Best wishes and good luck with your ongoing work to help the families who have to walk the path, which you have walked.

Sally from St Margarets Church

£10.00

23/08/09

Well done Paul

Pam Kelly

£10.00

20/08/09

Well done Anna, with love Mum

Dave & Tracey Wilson

£10.00

20/08/09

Well done Lisa!

Emma Durnford

£3.43

14/08/09

The contents of my money box for Paul!

Lisa, John, Beth & Emma Durnford

£10

14/08/09

Good Luck Paul, in your first Triathlon

Mike Rowe

£10

14/08/09

Good Luck Paul, in your first Triathlon

Doreen Rowe

£20

12/08/09

Good Luck Paul, Amanda & Anna, every success for the 15th & 16th August, Love Mum

Dudley & Rosemary Tee

£5

09/08/09

Good Luck for the Triathlon Paul

Ro Smith

£2

09/08/09

Good Luck for the Triathlon Paul

Jill Crossland

£5

09/08/09

Good Luck for the Triathlon Paul

John & Janet Leech

£4

09/08/09

Good Luck for the Triathlon Paul

Joy Mann

£5

09/08/09

Good Luck for the Triathlon Paul

Sonia Pope

£5

30/07/09

Good Luck to you all

Team Spence Car Boot Sale

£147.70

26/07/09

Many thanks to all those that helped and contributed.

Pride of Eastbourne Lodge RAOB

£25

24/07/09


Carol Leggett

£20

23/07/09

Good Luck, I know you can do it!

Jenny Tidy

£5

18/07/09

Good Luck Me Darlings! xx

Dave Hall

£188

13/07/09

Good Luck to All xx

Donations from Peacehaven Infants School Fair

£3.70

05/07/09

Helping children with Cancer

Anne Mclaren

£20

05/07/09

Helping children with Cancer

Cynthia & Don Thomas

£40

04/07/09

Helping children with Cancer

Keith Briffett

£120

26/06/09

Sponsorship for completing the Sussex Triathlon. Well done Keith & thanks to everyone who sponsored Keith

Terri Epps

£20

23/06/09



Kathy Fox

£50

17/06/09

Thinking of you all. From Nic & Helens relatives in Bermuda

Gavin Deeble

£15

14/06/09


Unison Brighton Branch

£50

12/06/09

Helping the fight against childhood cancer

Johns Dad

£25

12/06/09



Lisa & John

£20

10/06/09

Well done lots of love John, Lisa, Beth & Emma xxx

Tracey Lewis

£15

08/06/09

Thanks for the Clarins Ha Ha!!

Steve Purser

£50

07/06/09



Jon Dilley

£10

07/06/09

To Amanda & Paul for horseradish entertainment!

Jon Dilley

£19.30

07/06/09

Well done ladies!!

Pam Kelly

£10

07/06/09

Well done girls!!

Team Spence Table Top Sale

£186

06/06/09

Thanks to all who helped out & donated money & items - a real bonus for our fund

Dad

£10

06/06/09

You can do it in 2 hours 21 mins, love Dad & bonus if you do!!

Andy, Mary, Amy & Alfie

£5

06/06/09

Good Luck for tomorrow xxxxx

Anna Dilley

£13

06/06/09

Go Mand Go!!!

Jan Crowhurst

£20

06/06/09

Good Luck Anna

Sue & Joe Dilley

£20

06/06/09

Well done & good luck!!

Jodi Keating

£10

06/06/09

Rather you than me!!!

Helen Relf

£7

05/06/09

Good Luck Guys, Just Wash & Go!!! Love Helen

Mum

£20

05/06/09

All my love to you for your 1st half marathon on Sunday lots of love Mum xxx

Paul & Lesley

£20

04/06/09

Good Luck Love Les & Paul xx

Chris Chessell

£20

04/06/09

Good Luck & Best Wishes Love Chris

Mike Bewlock

£10

04/06/09


Sue Gibson

£10

02/06/09


Cynthia & Don

£10

01/06/09

With Love from Colwyn Bay, North Wales

Virginia Goodwill

£50

26/05/09


Allan Frame

£20

25/05/09

Well Done Amanda & Anna on completing your first 10k, hope the knees aren't hurting too much - Alxx

Simon Daniel

£20

19/05/09

Well Done

Jacqui & Murray Heenan

£30

18/05/09

Well done Anna & Amanda, you're both an inspiration xx

Steve Hayward

£20

18/05/09

Well done Amanda, what a great achievement for a fantastic cause

Christina Dale

£20

17/05/09

Hope it all goes well-you'll be great. Will be thinking of youxx

Rosie Vaughan

£20

17/05/09

Well done on all your hard work xx

Nick Kelly

£10

17/05/09

Go girlfriends!

David Kelly (Annas Dad)

£10

17/05/09

Keep up the good pace

Caron Teague

£5

17/05/09

You are totally mad! But fab cause!

Mary Jones

£10

15/05/09

Good Luck xx

Pamela Kelly

£10

14/05/09

Don't fret if you walk some xxx

Dianne Pryor

£10

14/05/09

Good Luck Amanda, will be thinking of you. Take Care Dianne

Kirsty Beal

£20

13/05/09

Anna, I know you can do it!

Jane Miller

£20

13/05/09

Well done Anna

Bettina Rezania

£1

13/05/09

Good Luck Anna

Jean Fitch

£30

12/05/09

Good Luck Amanda, Love Jean xx

Ginny Hope

£25

11/05/09

Amanda, hope the run goes well!

Karen Worth

£5

11/05/09

Good Luck! Will be thinking of you with my feet up & a cold beer xx

Anna Dilley

£6.40

11/05/09

Amanda, I'll be with you every step of the way. Love Annaxx

Doreen Rowe

£5

10/05/09

Good Luck Anna in your first race love Mike & Doreen

Linda Silburn

£20

09/05/09

Good Luck Anna

Carly Reigler

£10

08/05/09

Good Luck Anna

Emma Vernon

£5

08/05/09


Andy Rowe

£5

04/05/09

Donation for Team Spence T-Shirt xxx

Lisa,John,Beth & Emma

£20

30/04/09

Donation for Team Spence T-Shirts xxx

Dad

£13

30/04/09

Have a super run day. Love Dad xx

Mum

£20

30/04/09

Good Luck in Bognor 10km Love Mum xx

Nic & Helen Warmink

£100

29/04/09

Never Forgotten................xx

Anita Randell

£10

29/04/09

I believe in you! xx

Tony Rodriguez

£50

29/04/09

Good Luck with the training and best wishes to all

Sarah Smithers

£10

17/02/2009


Auntie Beansy

£100

17/02/2009


Matt Cottrell

£20

17/02/2009


Amalia

£10

19/02/09

Happy Birthday Little Bro xxxx

Auntie Mary

£20

19/02/2009

Thinking of you little Spencer,on your Birthday. We love you & miss you so much, always in our thougts & our hearts. Auntie Mary, Uncle Andy, Amy and Alfie xxx

Nanny Rowe

£10

19/02/2009

Always in our hearts. Love Nanny and Grandpa xxxx

Dave,Tina,Olivia and Teagan

£20

20/02/2009


Dave Twist

£5

21/02/2009


Marie, St Margarets Church, Rottingdean

£5

22/02/2009

For a Spencer Bear

Vicky and Andy Collier

£20

23/02/2009

Always happy to offer our support for a very worthwhile cause Lots of Love Andy & Vicky Collier

Barbara Rei

£20

25/02/2009


Michael Kallmann

£5

25/02/2009


Kate Gilder

£15

25/02/2009


Gill Davies

£20

25/02/2009


Jo Kiely

£20

26/02/2009


Gayle Voller

£5

25/02/2009


MP

£10

03/03/2009


Jane Stanbury & Family

£250

17/03/09

With Lots of Love & Good Wishes

Amanda, Paul & Amalia

£10

17/03/09

This is for Anna for doing so well in her training and completing 10km!

Peter Roberts

£250

17/03/09

As promised the contents of my whiskey jar! Love, hope & strength. Uncle Petexx

Nanny Eileen

£30

22/03/09

With Lots of Love From Nanny Eileen

Jane Richardson

£10

06/04/09

Lots of Luck to all in your training and races. X

Roy and Marilyn

£25

23/04/09

Keep up with the training and good luck with the races

Mary, Andy, Amy & Alfie Rowe

£15

26/04/09

Donation for Team Spence T shirts

Dad

£5

26/04/09

Lots of Love and Good Luck

Monday, 6 July 2009

Monkey Grants

When any donations are made, we will list here who your money has benefited.



Name

Donation

Date

Monkey Grant

Family in Southwick

£200

16/12/09

Toy and Food Vouchers

Children with Cancer Fund

£500

16/12/09

Granting wishes to children with cancer

Bethany May's Neuroblastoma Charity Fund

£500

16/11/09

To help with vital new research into neuroblastoma

Luke Cory

£100

01/10/09

Having read article in The Evening Argus, donation given to help 6 year old Luke keep battling his fight against cancer

Family in Portslade

£150

14/08/09

Supermarket vouchers to assist with additional expenditure, whilst child undergoing treatment for cancer

Family in Brighton

£150

20/07/09

Supermarket vouchers to assist with additional expenditure, whilst child undergoing treatment for cancer

Charlie in Newhaven

Xbox Console & Games

25/06/09

To help with the boredom, whilst bed bound in hospital, recovering from a cancer operation

ABC Fund

£250

14/05/09

Spencer Bears for local Ambulance Service for traumatised children

Family in Brighton

£100

14/05/09

Help towards additional costs for telephone calls, whilst child undergoing treatment for cancer

Sunday, 5 July 2009

Spencer Bear


The Ann Bickmore Fund were looking for a bear to give to the Ambulance service as they like to have them on board when dealing with traumatised children and found this delightful little bear. His name is Spencer Bear.
Sadly, we knew Spencer Roberts who died in January, 2008 aged 3, so all our bears donated in his memory. His big sister, Amalia presented the the first 100 bears on our behalf. Marks & Spencers, Eastbourne heard our story and their Staff donated £150 with a further £100 voucher for the next batch of bears.
A very kind Grandma has given us another £100 after her grandaughter received one having been knocked down by a reversing van. We understand that Ted E Bear - named after the paramedic - was an incredible comfort to a small girl.

Saturday, 4 July 2009

Meet Amalia, Spencer's Sister


My Special Friend Bethany May

At the Royal Marsden Cancer Hospital, unfortunately there are loads of children from babies to teenagers who are fighting cancer on the children's ward. From the people I met there is one special little girl who really sticks out. That little girl is Bethany May. When I first met Bethany May I couldn't resist falling in love with her. The wierd and sad thing is cancer attacts the most nicest people who really don't deserve it. To me, Bethany is the little sister I never had.

One of the main events I remember with Bethany was when me, mum, dad, Bethany and Bethany's mum and dad Katie and Ben, went to the Emily Ash Holiday Home in Hastings. It was great! We went to Camber Sands and me, Bethany and Ben climbed sand dunes, it was so much fun. Bethany loves playing with dolls, so throughout the holiday, I helped look after "Baby Annabel".

A few weeks after the holiday, I received a parcel in the post, I had no idea what it was, I opened it and it said " To my very special friend Amalia" It continued by saying" just a little memento of a wonderful week, special memories for ever and ever. Thankyou for looking after me and taking extra care of Baby Annabel for me Lots of Love Bethany xxxx" When I read this, I started to cry, it was full of wonderful photographs and memories I will cherish for ever and ever!

When I met Bethany she was very shy and very very ill from cancer, but now she's on the mend. We still desparately need money for research, into neuroblastoma, so please make take time to go to Bethany's website http://www.bethanymay.com/

Love Amalia


This is the letter, Amalia wrote to Spencer and placed it in his coffin.

Thankyou for being such a joy to us. You have brought us so many memories, like when you thought there was a fire and stopped at the door and yelled "everybody get out, theres a fire"! (It wasn't a fire alarm he heard but our plumber upstairs using a drill!) Even though you yelled at me, you were still an AMAZING brother! It was really funny when you kissed your guns and said "chicks love it, nurses love it better"!
You are awesome and I will always love and miss you.


Amalia 07/01/08