UNTIL DEATH DO US PARTY
Young pals give up celebration to help dying Scott fill thrill-packed bucket list
AYOUNG man diagnosed with terminal brain cancer is setting out to complete a “bucket list” – with the help of his partner, as well as three girls celebrating their 11th birthdays.
Scott Richards, 26, of Porthcawl, was given the devastating news in May this year that he had grade four terminal cancer and there was nothing else doctors could do.
While he was undergoing chemotherapy, his partner Laura-Jayne Williams decided the best treatment for Scott would be to do the things he’s always wanted to do.
As well as going to see the Northern Lights and getting married, the pair are hoping to go to lots of car events – including a motorcycle race on the Isle of Man as part of their bucket list.
But the couple were left stunned when three young girls who go to Scott’s former school offered to help by raising money through their 11th birthday celebrations for the pair to go on a once-in-a-lifetime holiday to Florida.
Just before he was diagnosed Scott became self-employed. He had no idea that he would never be able to work again. And with no life insurance, he and Laura-Jayne have become entirely reliant on her income as a teacher.
Laura-Jayne said: “Towards the start of the year, Scott was suffering with headaches. We were back and forth to the doctors and to the hospital and they kept telling him it was stress-related.
“We’d been out one day and I just said you need to go in. That night he started being sick so he was taken into hospital.”
Laura-Jayne said a scan was then done where a lump was found. She said they were initially told the lump was benign and there was nothing to worry about but then, on May 10, Scott was told that he had terminal brain cancer.
She said: “We created a list of things just as something to look forward to. We’re getting married next year in August. We’re trying to go to the Isle of Man TT next year.
“Scott’s a massive petrol-head – well, both of us are – and loves his cars and his motorbikes. A lot of it is car-based.”
The pair were left stunned by the gesture made by Tilly Luke, Ellie Woodhall and Megan Tinning, who go to Scott’s former school, West Park Primary School in Nottage, Porthcawl.
The trio were planning a joint 11th birthday party, but asked their parents if instead of people buying them presents and cards, they could ask people to donate money to give to Scott and Laura-Jayne.
Tilly’s mum Paula said: “Scott’s mum has worked in the school for years and she had the obviously devastating news that Scott had stage four cancer. We explained to the children recently what that means and what a bucket list is.
“No-one wants to explain to their child what a bucket list is.
“Then they said to me, ‘We want to help, how can we?’ They were planning to have a joint party together as they’ve been friends since they were about 10 months old. They said, ‘Can we help by asking to give all the money to Scott?’
“I said that’s a lovely grown-up decision. We are so proud. But they’re very caring girls.”
The party, being held on Saturday, October 14, at the Waterfront in Porthcawl, will double up as a fundraising event, where they’re hoping to raise as much money as they can.
The girls have also made a wishing tree where pupils can leave notes for Scott.
They are hoping to raise £1,500 to pay for flights and car hire stateside, as accommodation is already sorted. So far they’ve raised just over £250.
While mum Paula is confident they can raise the funds, she’s worried about the cost of insurance for Scott on the trip.
She said: “While we will get the money for the trip, the insurance is going to be sky high for them, so we are trying to raise as much money as possible,”
Laura-Jayne and Scott say they were overwhelmed when they found out.
“We didn’t know the girls were doing this. We found out last week,” said Laura-Jayne. “It made us feel over the moon. “Especially from a teaching background, to have girls like that is quite inspiring, to be honest. “We were chuffed.” To donate, visit the online fundraising page here: https:// www.justgiving.com/ crowdfunding/birthdaygala