Fundraising event in memory of Alex raises over £4,000

A fundraising family festival held in Ilkeston has raised £4,500 for charity.

Ally Campbell has been staging the annual event in memory of her cousin, Alex Read, and in-aid of the Bone Cancer Research Trust.

Alex died aged just 14 and although an event was planned to mark his 21st birthday, the impact of the pandemic meant that it had to be staged two years later.  It was finally held on 7th May 2022 on Wardlow Road in the town.

The event is called 'YOLT' or 'You Only Live Twice' – something he said after his diagnosis, when living a daily battle against his cancer and with all the side effects of his treatments.

The family festival included live music, food and drinks, local independent stalls, activities for kids, and fundraising for the charity.

Ally said: "Money raised in Alex’s name supports important research into bone cancers and treatments, and finds training and awareness resources for GPs – because early detection is so critical, and the symptoms are so easily mistaken as growing pains or injuries in children and teenagers."

Having joined Lewis Allsopp in the studio beforehand, Ally contacted us again after the event.  She said: "The event on Saturday went amazingly! We raised over £4,500 and had lots of conversations about bone cancer, the charity, and my cousin Alex."

You can hear Lewis in conversation with Ally in the days leading to the 7th May event by clicking on the 'Play' button below.