The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Brave Toby becomes officially cancer-free
FIFE: Cupar boy celebrates with cake and a stint at Kingdom FM
A brave Cupar schoolboy is officially cancer-free after taking his last dose of chemotherapy.
Toby Etheridge has taken daily tablets of the drug since he was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in December 2014.
The 12-year-old celebrated by ringing his end-of-treatment bell at the Kingdom FM studios before tucking into some chocolate cake.
The courageous St Andrews High pupil will be joined by more than 100 friends and family members at a party on Saturday.
Mum Alison said she is “exceptionally proud” of her courageous son who has vowed to continue his charity work through Toby’s Magical Journey. “It’s been quite a day,” she said. “We woke up knowing that Toby is now cancer-free before going to the Kingdom FM studio where he rang his end-of-treatment bell.
“He had some chocolate cake and then off he went to school in the afternoon. It’s been a happy but emotional day.
“We’re happy to think that he’s got there and he’s done it courageously.
“Apart from the first 10 months that he wasn’t able to go to school, he’s tried
“There’s been lots of tears but they’ve been happy tears and the amount of support we’ve received from everyone on the Toby’s Magical Journey Facebook page has just been amazing. MUM ALISON
his best and he’s always smiled off how poorly he felt.”
She continued: “There’s been lots of tears but they’ve been happy tears and the amount of support we’ve received from everyone on the Toby’s Magical Journey Facebook page has just been amazing.
“A lot of these people know him but many others don’t and the lovely messages they’ve put is so humbling.
“There’s one or two people on there who it must have been so hard for them to write what they’ve done when they’ve lost their own children and grandchildren to cancer too.
“It is a hard day but it’s a very happy, humbling one at the same time – it’s a mixed bag of emotions.”
Toby added: “My main aim is to be able to help young children that have just started their treatment or are reaching the end of their treatment.
“If their legs are sore and they aren’t able to walk 100 yards, I’d like to supply them with things to help their practical needs.
“I think it’ll help quite a bit because I couldn’t walk 100 yards through my treatment at the very start so using a wheelchair helped a lot, to be able to move around, so I wouldn’t have to be housebound.”
Toby and his supporters have already raised more than £56,000 to help provide treats for Fife youngsters with cancer including games, toys and mobility aids.
Alison added that Toby will still have to undergo monthly check-ups at the hospital for the next year including a scan of his heart.
If ever a boy deserved a party, it is Toby Etheridge. The Cupar 12-year-old will gather with friends and family this weekend to celebrate being cancer-free. Since being diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in December 2014, Toby and his supporters have raised £56,000 to help other youngsters and the inspiring schoolboy has vowed to carry on with his charity work.
Whatever lies ahead for this young man, we’re confident he’ll take it in his stride.