The retreat our Frankie would have loved
YOUNGSTERS BATTLING CANCER WILL BE ABLE TO TAKE BREAK
AS she marked the passing of a whole year since losing her precious son to cancer, Frankie Sherwood’s mum said it still “seems like it was just yesterday”. After battling neuroblastoma for more than half his life, last January the fouryear-old enjoyed a dream trip to Lapland with his family.
But when they returned, doctors had to break the news that a brain scan done before their perfect holiday had revealed Frankie’s brain was covered in neuroblastoma. His heartbroken parents Hayley and John barely had time to process the news before Frankie’s condition started to deteriorate. He died just a month later in February 2018.
The family had raised thousands of pounds for Frankie to have pioneering treatment in America before the cancer spread and it became too late. But while the disease dashed all their dreams for Frankie, Hayley and John were determined to put the money they had raised to
good use. And as they marked the first anniversary of his death, the family decided to celebrate his life by announcing The Frankie Sherwood retreat.
The beautiful property in Spain will provide respite and a chance to make memories for children battling cancer at Newcastle’s Royal Victoria Infirmary, and their families.
“It’s absolutely lovely and just feels very peaceful,” said Hayley. “We thought it would be a lovely idea because we know how important it is to spend time with your family.
“We never got a chance to go to a retreat with Frankie because you have to be off treatment to go to one.
“But we did go on holiday a couple of times in between treatment and it was the best thing we ever did.
“Frankie absolutely loved it, and it was just amazing having time away from the hospital, being able to act a bit normal, seeing him having lots of fun.”
Facing operations and chemotherapy from the age of just 18 months, little Frankie faced more than any child should. Though much of his young life was consumed by gruelling cancer treatment, Frankie, who lived in Dudley, North Tyneside, made some incredible memories, which his family will treasure forever.
A devoted Toon fan, in November 2016 he led his team out in front of thousands of fans for Newcastle’s
clash with Blackburn Rovers, handing the ball over to the referee for the kick-off. He continued to appear at St James’ Park, meeting Rafa Benitez and scoring half-time penalties – winning the hearts of fellow fans.
The family’s world was ripped apart on May 25, 2015, when Hayley noticed a slight swelling in her son’s stomach.
As it got worse, she visited the GP, who referred him straight on to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle. There, scans revealed an aggressive tumour growing in Frankie’s stomach. Medics fought to remove any traces of the cancer, but it kept returning, first appearing in Frankie’s neck, in a
lymph node, and then in a lump found in his head.
Frankie died surrounded by his loved ones in his family’s caravan – his favourite place, and one they returned to for the anniversary of his death. Hayley said: “It was awful, it just feels surreal. I sometimes feel like it’s not happening.
“His bedroom is exactly the same – everything’s still there, his toys are still in the same place as they were the last time he played with them.
“Every morning and night me and his dad go in there and talk to him.”
On the things she misses most about her brave boy, Hayley said: “Everything – but we try and remember all the good times we had together.”