A ‘MILE OF LOVE’ FOR BRAVE ELLIOTT

Villagers’ poignant ‘mile of love’ tribute to brave five-year-old who died from a rare form of cancer

Hundreds of residents in a Peterborough village lined the streets to give a final send off to a five-year-old boy who died from a rare form of cancer.

Elliott Cantrell, from Eye, passed away from anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) on April 21 - a few days before his sixth birthday.

Elliott had been diagnosed with the condition six months earlier, and his brave fight sparked a huge fundraising effort from villagers who have so far raised more than £12,500, with the money going both to the family and to a ringfenced fund to research the condition.

And hundreds of residents gave Elliott a fitting sendoff on Thursday with a ‘mile of love’ by standing outside their homes and letting go of balloons as his hearse was walkedthroughthevillage,before being driven to the crematorium.

Many wore hats with ‘Elliott’s Army’ branding on it - a nod to the campaigning being carried out to make sure other families do not have to go through the same tragic circumstances as Elliott’s parents Andrea and Wes Cantrell.

Many also wore superhero outfits and football kits in a reference to two of Elliott’s greatest loves.

Victoria Lenton knows the Cantrell family well after her son Dylan became incredibly close with Elliott ever since they were sent to the same childminder.

She said: “They’ve been joined from the hip at three. When Elliott was ill in hospital Dylan used to go and visit him and they would have pyjama parties.”

The original aim was to raise £250 for the family while Elliott was receiving treatment, but thanks to people’s generosity the target has been smashed, with activities including a sponsored walk, Christmas stalls and quizzes.

“This is so rare we wanted to do something,” said Victoria.

“The people of Eye have got right behind us and always helped. It’s been quite humbling. If we can prevent one kid and one family having to go through this we have done something good.”

Elliott had a “giggle that made me giggle, a smile that lit up a room and so many viewed him as their best friend,” Victoria added.

“He loved his friends and loved his family so much.

“Elliott was a happy-golucky five-year-old. He had a smile that can light up a room. Loyalty came naturally to him.

“I spent the best part of a day in the summer listening to him giggling all around my house. I also remember last year watching Elliott and my son practising what could only be termed as their own hand shake.

“I ribbed them for it but I would do anything to watch them do it again tomorrow.”

To donate for research into ALCL, visit: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/elliottsarmy.

‘Elliott had a giggle that made me giggle, a smile that lit up a room and so many viewed him as their best friend’ Family friend Victoria Lenton

Hundreds paid tribute to Elliott Cantrell (above) who died from a rare form of cancer.