Teenager who has raised over £150k for Young Lives v Cancer takes a break to concentrate on his GCSEs
16-year-old Jack, who was diagnosed with a brain tumour as a baby, has raised thousands of pounds to help others like him
One of our students from Heworth Grange School, has decided to take a break from fundraising for those who, like him, suffer from cancer.
Jack, aged 16, was diagnosed with a brain tumour on his optic nerve when he was four months old. Fortunately, Jack has received treatment that stabilised his condition.
When he was seven years old, he decided that he wanted to start raising money to help other young people in a similar position.
Over the past few years, he has raised over £150,000 for the charity Young Lives v Cancer by taking on an impressive range of fundraising schemes.
Seven rounds of chemotherapy, proton therapy and becoming registered blind have not stopped Jack from completing the mini-North Run, the junior North Run and a zip wire challenge, from organising tombolas, cake sales, raffles and family fun days and from taking part in memory challenges.
As Jack came to the end of his Year 10 studies at Heworth Grange this summer, he decided to complete one big event before taking a break to concentrate on his GCSE exams.
So at the end of July, he completed a skydive, raising nearly £25,000. The skydive saw Jack jump from 10,000 feet.
"A skydive is something that I have wanted to organise for a while. On the day, I was excited about the jump. It was an unreal experience,” said Jack.
“I was free-falling for 30 seconds, and it was incredibly windy. But as soon as the parachute deployed, I flew through a cloud and Nathan the instructor allowed me to steer. I would definitely do it again!
“I am confident that I am going to perform well in my GCSEs. I am doing the core subjects as well as Enterprise and Travel & Tourism. I am more than willing to put in the 9 months’ worth of effort because I know my efforts will pay off.”
Erin Anderson, Assistant Headteacher at Heworth Grange School said: “Jack has been a real inspiration to all of us here at Heworth Grange School - his zest for life is a joy to behold.
“As a school we are very proud of all he has achieved with his fundraising. However, he has made the decision to take a break from this for now, to focus on his GCSE exams this year.
“We fully support him in this decision and wish him all the very best in his studies.”
Sam Hughes, Fundraising Engagement Manager at Young Lives vs Cancer, said: “Jack is the most incredible young man, who doesn’t let anything stand in his way.
“He’s done so much to support Young Lives vs Cancer and has raised huge amounts of vital funds. Fundraisers like Jack make it possible for us to be there for other children and young people with cancer, and we can’t thank him enough.
“Jack will always be a special part of Young Lives vs Cancer and we are wishing him all the best for his GCSEs.”
For further information click the link to Jack's fundraising page:
