Browse Sections

• Education
• Special reports

Tavis will never be forgotten

2/ 5/2008

CHARITY volunteers are to carry a car around Manchester in memory of a brave four year old killed by a rare cancer.

Tavis Jay Beresford, from Newton Heath, was just three when he was diagnosed with neuroblastoma, a condition that affects less than 100 children a year in the UK.

After months of chemotherapy, radiotherapy and a stem cell transplant, he came to the end of his treatment and it appeared to have been a success.

But Tavis’s devastated family returned from a magical holiday to Disneyworld, paid for by supporters, to the news that the neuroblastoma had returned. Tavis died just two months later.

Now mum Cathy and dad David, of Edgware Road, Newton Heath, have organised a ‘sponsored car carry’ in September, the 18-month anniversary of Tavis’s death, to raise cash for the New Children’s Hospital Appeal. The appeal hopes to raise £20M to provide parent accommodation and state-of-the-art equipment for diagnosis and treatment at the new central children’s hospital, replacing Booth Hall and Pendlebury children’s hospitals in 2009.

The Beresfords had a fold down bed at the hospital which allowed them to be constantly by Tavis’s side and they now want to ensure other parents in the same position can also stay as close by.

Cathy, 32, said: "Tavis would be in and out of hospital on a regular basis, sometimes spending up to three months at a time in Pendlebury Hospital.

"We found that every minute of our time with our little boy was precious and he felt the security of knowing mummy and daddy were with him.

"I want to give these children and families the best care available to them. Tavis was a wonderful boy and we want to carry on in his memory."

Three teams of eight will take it in turns to carry the car - painted Tavis’s favourite colour, pink, and covered in children’s handprints - four miles from the city centre to Newton Heath on 28 September.

This will be followed by a fun day at Briscoe Lane school, which Tavis briefly attended and where younger brother Mackenzie, three, is also a pupil.

Cathy said the school had been an "absolutely fantastic" support but the family were struggling to get other people involved and would be grateful for any help, be it ideas or raffle prizes. They are also looking for someone willing to print T-shirts and posters at cut price.

Anyone who can help can contact Cathy and David on 0161 681 0480.