Fantastic new clothing brand 'Hughie's' has been launched with a percentage of the profits being donated to the Bone Cancer Research Trust in memory of its founder Hugh Freeland.
Hugh Freeland was Director of Sport at an independent school for 17 years and a keen runner, even completing the iconic London Marathon. Early 2020, things began to change when Hugh started getting a consistent ache in his groin during lockdown. In May 2020, after visiting an osteopath, the pain became unbearable, so he visited A&E and following X-rays, CT and MRI scans, Hugh was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in his left hip. After 8 months of gruelling treatment, Hugh was declared cancer free in January 2021.
In June 2021 and just a few months after the birth of his second son Rafferty, the cancer returned in his pelvis. Hugh had a pelvic resection and another six rounds of chemotherapy. Although the chemotherapy had shrunk the new tumour, in February 2022 Hugh was told his cancer had returned and spread to his spine and lungs.
During treatment, Hugh struggled to find comfortable, affordable and stylish clothing fit for purpose. That’s why, this year, from his hospice bed, he created Hughie’s - a lifestyle clothing range.
Hughie’s unique clothing range has been designed to celebrate everything Hugh represented with his very fitting hashtag, bravetothebone featuring on all the designs. The sweatshirts and caps are in Hugh’s favourite colour, navy blue, with colourful accents to symbolise positivity and hope. The logo font represents the internal structure of a bone with the unique apostrophe, a nod to the Bone Cancer Research Trust logo.
Hugh shared:
I didn’t want to “look ill”. I didn’t want that hairless, gaunt look so synonymous with cancer. I didn’t want to scare my son and to be unrecognisable to him.
Hugh sadly passed away on 10 April 2022. He was dedicated to raising awareness of primary bone cancer and much needed funds into research which is why 5% of all profits from Hughie’s will be donated to the Bone Cancer Research Trust.
Mat Cottle-Shaw, CEO at the Bone Cancer Research Trust, said:
Thank you so much to the team at Hughie’s for supporting our vital work, which we hope one day will mean that people, like Hugh, won’t have to face this brutal disease. I would also like to take this opportunity to send Hugh's family and friends our sincere condolences at this difficult time.