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Original poster

I am trying to arrange something special for a very poorly little boy but I don't know where to start

34 replies

FoghornLeghorn · 24/08/2006 11:36

Title says most of it really.
A friends grandson is very poorly and recent tests etc have revealed he is likely to only have a few months left. He is 13.

He is a huge huge Arsenal fan so I wanted to try and contact them to see if they could arrange something special for him, a wonderful day to put a huge smile on his face. Trouble is, I don't really know where to start, should I write to them explaining about him/his condition etc ? Who do I write to ? Do you think they would be interested in trying to arrange a special day for him?

OP posts:
fairyfly · 24/08/2006 11:39

How sad, have you looked on the Arsenal website, you could start there.

Nemo1977 · 24/08/2006 11:39

they prob would try to help write about condition etc maybe get in touch with make a wish or rocxking horse foundation for some advice

NewLP · 24/08/2006 11:43

Oh, how sad FL.

Would the Make a Wish foundation be able to help?

\link{http://www.make-a-wish.org.uk/wish}

It?s the sort of thing they normally do.

NewLP · 24/08/2006 11:44

Try again:

wish

Original poster
FoghornLeghorn · 24/08/2006 12:02

Have had a look at the Make a Wish website - thanks. I can't seem to be able to find contact details though.
Am looking at the Arsenal website now too

OP posts:
Prufrock · 24/08/2006 12:10

01276 24127 - make a wish contact details

Original poster
FoghornLeghorn · 24/08/2006 12:17

Thanks Prufrock - obviously need to put my glasses on

OP posts:
Christie · 24/08/2006 13:02

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
FoghornLeghorn · 24/08/2006 16:13

Oh dear Christie Would it have taken so much effort for one of them to pop over for a few minutes, I'm sure it would've made the kids years.
Mind you, could very well have just been the heavy talking and not the opinion of the players themselves.
I have sent an email asking if we could arrange a stadium tour and to meet some players - no harm in asking. Fingers crossed

OP posts:
Christie · 24/08/2006 16:48

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Misspiggy · 24/08/2006 17:06

Hi Foghorn. My DH may be able to put you in touch with someone at Arsenal who might be able to help. Are you signed up for CAT?

SecondhandRose · 24/08/2006 17:22

I may be able to help you. Is he able to walk, could he sit down in the usual way or is he in a wheelchair?

Original poster
FoghornLeghorn · 24/08/2006 17:33

Thanks guys. If you could email me at [email protected] that would be great

OP posts:
Misspiggy · 24/08/2006 17:41

Foghorn, I'll drop you a mail this evening when DH gets home from work. Spk to you later. Off to feed the family now!

Original poster
FoghornLeghorn · 24/08/2006 18:12

SecondHandRose - he doesn't have a wheelchair no but he would need one if we do manage to get something arranged. He has an oxygen tank too which he would need to take with him.
I am just trying to find the name of the type of cancer he has so i can post more details.

Thanks very much miss piggy

OP posts:
ChiTownLady · 24/08/2006 18:20

I would really try make a wish - i volunteer for them here in the US and it is an amazing charity - they won't turn anyone away and can organise things so very quickly. However you will need a family member or the childs doctor to make a referral - but it would be worth making them aware of it.

they do truly the most amazing things and will make whatever wish the child wants come true - money is very generally no object at all and they have massive connections anywhere so I would def recommend this as a route...

Misspiggy · 24/08/2006 20:16

Have e mailed you Foggy.

Skribble · 24/08/2006 21:38

You could try contacting

Alun Francis
Disability Liaison Officer
Arsenal FC
Highbury House,
75 Drayton Park
London N5 1BU
E-mail: [email protected]
Phone: 020 7704 4490

I think the main part of their job will be accomodating disabled fans at matches but they might be a good contact for arranging something like this.

SecondhandRose · 24/08/2006 22:56

See how you get on with Alun Francis, otherwise DH knows someone at Arsenal pretty well who may be able to help (not a player).

Original poster
FoghornLeghorn · 29/08/2006 08:56

Sorry for not getting back to this sooner, have been away and also trying to gather as much detail as I can about Liam's condition.

Thanks Scribble, I have sent an email to Alun. Fingers crossed.

As much techinical detail as I know at present is that Liam has cancer, which we believe started off as lung cancer and is known as Lymphatic Metasoses. Having researched it on the internet and spoken with some people in America, Liam's mum has establish that there are only approx. 11 people worldwide who have had this and none of them have reached adulthood, it is that rare.
Liam has been through so much - Great ormand St. initially diagnosed him with TB and he was receiving the incorrect medication for several months before further tests revealed TB wasn't the case. This has all been going on for over 2 years now and more and more tests just keep proving inconclusive. At present Liam is at home but he gets rushed into hospital on a regular basis as he has fluid building up around his heart and lungs, which needs to be drained off. He has an oxygen supply he has to keep with him so if he has a sudden onset of breathing troubles he can make it to the hospital in time. He is on no medication at present, he is dealing with all the pain he is in completely by himself. He is a football fanatic but hasn't been able to kick a football for many many months now and just the thought of him having something so special for one day would just be amazing.

OP posts:
SherlockLGJ · 29/08/2006 09:06
Sad
Original poster
FoghornLeghorn · 29/08/2006 16:12

Bump

OP posts:
fullmoonfiend · 29/08/2006 16:26

can't help but really really hope you can sort something! Best of luck x

bundle · 29/08/2006 16:33

I would contact the club direct, they have the Willow Foundation as their charity of the year, during this season (which does similar days-to-remember for young adults) and I'm sure they would be sympathetic. hth

TitianRed · 29/08/2006 16:53

Good luck, Foggy. Do let us know how you get on. xx