Fundraiser dives in to help Thomas, 4 (From York Advertiser)

Fundraiser dives in to help Thomas Cammack, 4

7:40am Thursday 9th February 2012 in News

AN estate agent from York swam ten miles to help raise money for a very ill boy from Selby.

Four-year-old Thomas Cammack suffers from neuroblastoma, a cancer which spread from his adrenal gland to his skull, bone marrow, blood and pelvis, and doctors have just found out tumours have returned in his brain despite daily doses of anticancer treatment.

Neil McGroarty, of St Lukes Grove, York, heard about Thomas’ parents plans to raise £500,000 to guarantee anti-cancer treatment in the USA, and decided to take the plunge and help out.

Neil, who works for Ashton’s estate agents in Selby, said: “We were looking for something to donate to as a company and to do something different.

“We were thinking about a bike ride, or a lot of different things, then one of my colleagues said Thomas had had a relapse. We thought this is urgent, let’s do something towards that.”

Thomas’ parents, Toni Wood and Richard Cammack, have currently raised about £40,000 towards the target, and Neil said he hoped any contribution his efforts could make would help.

Neil, 33, was even given his own lane at Waterworld, Monks Cross, to complete the challenge, and said: “We were at about £200 after three days and had emails saying more was due. We’re hoping for £300 or more, but everything helps. Waterworld were excellent, very very good to us.

They helped us count the laps and supported us throughout.”

To find out more or make a donation, go to bmycharity.com/thomascammackappeal