In a heartwarming display of community spirit, Manchester residents have raised more than £300,000 in memory of 12-year-old Jude, who lost his life to osteosarcoma.
The efforts driven by Jude Anderton's family, friends and local community, have not only honoured his memory but will make a lasting difference for bone cancer patients and their families.
Before he died, Jude was passionate about raising funds for the Bone Cancer Research Trust, creating Hama Bead artwork for his family, friends, classmates, and teachers. This was often a long process as Jude could only use one arm, but he didn't let that stop him helping others.
When Jude devastatingly died in February 2018 the local community, moved by Jude's determination to improve outcomes for other children, decided to unite and have now raised over £300,000 and counting towards kinder treatments and increased support.
Their efforts for Jude's Fund, a Special Fund of the Bone Cancer Research Trust, included annual street parties, 24-hour skiathons, sponsored walks, carnivals, and everything in between.
Jude's parents, Paul and Helen, expressed their overwhelming gratitude for the support they received:
Our son Jude was such a special child, and we wanted to do something meaningful to support his legacy and increase awareness of primary bone cancer. The outpouring of love and generosity from our community over the years has been nothing short of incredible. We are so proud of everything that's been achieved in Jude's honour.
Xanthe Hopkinson, Regional Relationship Manager at the Bone Cancer Research Trust, commented:
We are so grateful for the phenomenal amount that has been raised in memory of Jude. The generosity, determination, and dedication of Jude's supporters is astounding and not only honours his life, but also brings hope to other children and families when they need it most.
Jude Anderton was just 11 years old when he was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in April 2017.
After attending sports club Jude developed pain in his right arm, which intensified over the following ten days and kept him awake at night.
Jude's family took him to the local hospital, where an x-ray revealed a shadow on his arm. Further tests, including a bone biopsy at the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital in Birmingham, confirmed that it was an osteosarcoma tumour.
Devastatingly, doctors also discovered that Jude had secondary tumours on his lungs. Despite multiple rounds of chemotherapy, limb-salvage surgery and a clinical trial, Jude died peacefully in February 2018 with his parents and brothers by his side.
You can read more about Jude's story by visiting the link below: