Football brings people together. So when his schoolmate and fellow Nottingham Forest fan Oliver Finden was diagnosed with cancer last November, The Elms pupil Josh Glover turned to football to help his friend and raised over £1,000 for the children’s cancer ward at QMC!
Over 60 youngsters from The Elms Junior School in Long Eaton braved horrendous weather in early April to take part in a football tournament and bake sale Josh had organised as a fundraiser for the E39 Childrens Oncology Ward, where sports-mad Oliver received treatment for b Cell Non Hodgkins Lymphoma over three months.
And on Thursday 14 May the boys, with their mums Andrea Finden and Marie Glover, visited QMC to present a cheque for £1,050 to Sophie Wilne, Oliver’s oncology consultant, Katie Manning E39’s ward sister, who’s team took such good care of Oliver, and Ruth Brady, Nottingham Hospitals Charity Community Fundraiser.
What started with the goal of raising £100-150 through playing one five-a-side game and selling a few cakes quickly escalated to a tournament of six teams, 40 players and over 300 cakes as Year 6 pupil Josh, whose middle name is ‘Pearce’ after Forest legend Stuart, inspired classmates and parents alike to rally in support of Oliver.
Oliver, who was visited by his favourite Forest players Chris Cohen and goalkeeper Karl Darlow while in hospital, is happily on the road to recovery, gradually getting stronger and returning to school full time after Easter. Both Andrea and Marie were overwhelmed by the response.
Marie said: “Josh had been worried no-one would come. The boys have been friends since reception at The Elms and he really wanted to do something for Oliver. When people started saying they wanted to be involved he was really touched and in tears. He then turned one game into the tournament.”
Andrea continued: “I was very emotional when I saw everyone had turned out to support the boys. Oliver lost his confidence during treatment. He was always so proud of his ‘surfer dude’ long hair, which is now beginning to grow back, and only wanted a few very close friends to see him in hospital. For him to see everyone at school supporting the tournament was a huge boost to him.”
With the tournament taking place on a Wednesday afternoon, a number of Year 5 and 6 pupils wandered around the campus of The Elms and its senior school, Trent College, selling cakes to waiting parents and children on the school buses. The ‘cake tent’ was also very popular after school.
For the footballers, 20 large pizzas delivered from Domino’s in Long Eaton were devoured after Josh, a Derbyshire age-group cricketer and matchday mascot for Forest’s 1-1 draw with Derby County at the City Ground last season, had negotiated a knockdown price of £5 per pizza for the fundraiser.
Andrea, herself a Year 6 form teacher who is currently completing a degree in Primary Education, also had special praise for The Elms in its support during Oliver’s treatment and ongoing recovery. “The school has been amazing,” she went on. “Oliver is an avid rugby player and the school’s Director of Studies, Mr Jeremy Harper, visited him in hospital to present him with his rugby colours.
“His class teacher Miss Bennett provided work packs for him, which his little brother Alex, brought home so Oliver could keep up with schoolwork when he felt well enough. After February half-term Oliver started a phased return to school doing 12 hours a week, and Headteacher Mr Morrow had arranged for Macmillan nurses to talk to the staff and children about how to support Oliver when he was back.
“I was even given my own office at The Elms for a few weeks so I could work there and be on hand if Oliver was ill or needed me.”
Keith Morrow, Headmaster at The Elms, added: “Josh is a very considerate boy and it was no surprise that The Elms school community got behind him and made this event such a success. We’re delighted to see Oliver back at school and know both boys will continue to make a big contribution to life at The Elms.”
Josh’s tournament contribution has gone towards a fundraising target of £15,000 Andrea is organising further events and activities to achieve. To support more children like Oliver by raising money for E39 Childrens Oncology Ward for Nottingham University Hospitals Charity visit www.justgiving.com/Andrea-Finden
For more information on The Elms Junior School and Nursery visit www.elmsschool.net