A message to both sets of supporters ahead of Boxing Day.
The Tom Bowdidge Foundation have carried out some amazing work since their launch, and here they write to both sets of supporters ahead of Boxing Day.
Saturday's game against Southend United sees us welcome one of our club Charity Partners to the Weston Homes Community Stadium for our latest collection.
Saturday's game against Southend United sees us welcome one of our club Charity Partners to the Weston Homes Community Stadium for our latest collection.
Dear fans of Colchester United and our neighbours and visitors, Southend United,
The Tom Bowdidge Foundation was set up following the dying wishes of our son Tom.
He was just 19 years old and, 13 months prior, he had been told he had an incurable and exceptionally rare cancer in his pelvis and peritoneum.
Whilst fighting this vile disease, he raised over £170,000 for Teenage Cancer Trust but knew, as his final days approached, he still had so much to do. And so the Tom Bowdidge Foundation was launched.
He was just 19 years old and, 13 months prior, he had been told he had an incurable and exceptionally rare cancer in his pelvis and peritoneum.
Whilst fighting this vile disease, he raised over £170,000 for Teenage Cancer Trust but knew, as his final days approached, he still had so much to do. And so the Tom Bowdidge Foundation was launched.
The charity supports teenagers and young people with cancer physically and emotionally and also funds research projects that focus solely on cancers specific to this age group.
We are thrilled to report that we are funding a project of this nature to the value of £250,000 which will cover three years of research. It is believed to be the ONLY research of its kind in this country.
Locally, the charity is also making a huge difference.
It has just refurbished 2 rooms at the Colchester General Hospital for specific use by teenagers undergoing treatment and also providing a room where families can receive, often devastating, news in private. We would like to expand this service wider across the local counties.
This is only the beginning and we appeal to you all this Christmas time, whether you are a young person starting out in life, a parent, a grandparent, anyone to give what you can to our wonderful collectors here on Boxing Day.
If everyone at the game gave £1.00, they would make an incredible difference to the lives of teenagers and young people with cancer.
Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a very healthy New Year.
With grateful thanks,
Tom’s Mum and Dad,
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To read more about the fundraising efforts carried out by the Tom Bowdidge Foundation,
Nikki & Richard
Nikki & Richard