Teen’s cancer bravery moved us all helping raise £6m in his memory
TEN years ago today, inspirational fundraiser Stephen Sutton died of colorectal cancer at the tragically young age of 19.
Despite his incurable illness, Stephen moved the nation with his bucket list, messages from his hospital bed and viral ‘last thumbs up’ photo.
And – as a fitting tribute to his relentless positivity – he spurred millions of pounds of donations to the Teenage Cancer Trust, which supported him through four years of treatment.
Now the charity and his mum, Jane Sutton, have announced that the total raised in his memory has reached an incredible £6million.
And to mark the anniversary it has worked with Jane to create a short film in which she reflects on the legacy of her son, who was posthumously made an MBE. ‘After Stephen’s diagnosis, I was in awe of his bravery,’ she said. ‘His bucket list typified Stephen, ranging from raising £10,000 for the trust to hugging an animal bigger than him, to crowd surfing in a yellow dinghy. ‘He was determined to squeeze every drop of joy out of life.’ Jane said there will always be a ‘Stephen-shaped hole’ in her heart but added: ‘Knowing he has changed the lives of thousands of young people with cancer for the better, and that he’s still making a difference, brings some comfort.’
Stephen was supported by four Teenage Cancer Trust units in Birmingham. To mark the anniversary, Jane will launch 16 fundraising challenges in every UK region where it funds specialist units. Her aim is to raise £300,000, beginning at Noah’s Art Zoo Farm in Bristol on May 22.
In March, The Who’s Roger Daltrey, 80, bowed out of frontman duty for the trust’s annual gigs with his final Royal Albert Hall show after 24 years.
Roger, who helped raise £32million in ticket sales, said: ‘Stephen remains an inspiration. By sharing his story, he put the spotlight on what life is like for teenagers with cancer in a way that has never been done before or since.’