Community comes together to help sick Collier Row youngster
KIND-HEARTED people from Romford and further afield have been raising money for a young boy who is battling an aggressive brain tumour.
Businesses, schools, sports clubs and ordinary individuals have been organising events to make money for treatment for eight-year-old Alex Field, of Collier Row, who has a malignant brain tumour.
His family, mother Rachel Rodd and step-father David Gilmore, are trying to raise �300,000 to pay for treatment in the USA should his NHS therapy not work.
So far more than �50,000 has been raised through the generosity of the public for the Crownfield Junior School pupil.
Alex’s step-father David Gilmore, of Victory Way, Collier Row, said: “The feedback has been quite overwhelming. There’s still quite a way to go but it’s only been a couple of months since we set up the fund. We expect it to slow down over the next couple of weeks but we’ll continue the fundraising.”
The family are expecting to be able to spend Christmas together after Alex’s recent dose of chemotherapy which means he won’t have to go back to hospital for a few weeks.
Romford and Gidea Park Rugby Club, which Alex and Mr Gilmore are both members of, has raised over �3,000 for the fund.
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Club treasurer Bill Dowton said: “The club has done a lot of different things like raffles and the money we collected at our fireworks display. Last weekend there was a fundraiser which raised over �1,000 and all the boys from the first team clubbed together to make sure they won the auction for a Saracens shirt which they have given to Alex.”
Dance teacher Maria Field, who is not related to Alex, held an introductory Zumba class at St Edwards School, London Road, Romford, which raised over �1,000 for the fund.
She said: “I heard about him as one of my friend’s daughters goes to the same school as him, I think that a lot of people are getting aware that he needs this treatment.”
The total raised at the dance night was boosted by the Safield Distributions import company based in Crow Lane, Romford.
Any unused money will be given to other cancer sufferers for treatment.
To find out more visit www.alexfieldfund.org or telephone David on 07795 067113.
