Parents whose two-year-old son is battling leukaemia have raised enough money to give grants to other Cumbrian families in similar positions for the rest of 2017.

Sam and Andrew Gibson launched their charity Jack’s Journey on Friday night with a big fundraising drive.

After the total raised on the night is added to the other money they have raised over the last few months, Jack’s Journey will have about £14,000.

Sam, 26, said: “It went really, really well. Lots of people turned up and made lots of money.

“Everybody just had a really good time.”

The launch of Jack’s Journey was celebrated with a party at Hunday Manor, Workington, where there was a buffet, raffle and dancing.

Sam, of Flimby, explained that she and Andrew, 28, wanted to hold the night to raise awareness of the charity and say a big thank you to their friends, family and businesses who have supported Jack’s Journey.

She said: “I think for us as a family, we have received so much support and I think it was a personal thank you to everyone who has helped us.”

Jack was diagnosed with leukaemia last April. He underwent eight months of intense treatment until November and is now taking oral chemotherapy, which he must take for two and a half years.

Sam said: “It’s a little bit easier than last year but it’s still lots of medicine, blood tests and monthly trips to the RVI.”

Parents whose children are battling cancer have to find money to pay for travel to hospital, food when they are there and other expenses, often at a time when one parent has given up work – as Sam did to be a full time carer for Jack.

Sam said: “We want to help Cumbrian families with their travel expenses. It might be just paying their bills just to get them through those difficult times so they can focus on getting their child better rather than how they are going to pay for the mortgage next month.”

Sam and Andrew are going to work with the charity Clic Sargent to identify which families need help.

Clic Sargent were involved with the family and helped look after not only Jack but also their four-year-old daughter Amelia.


For more about Jack's Journey, visit the website here.