THIS Saturday, February 26, marks the 10th anniversary of the death Ollie Young.
He died from an incurable brain tumour, 12 weeks after first displaying symptoms and just one day before his 6th birthday.
Following the loss of their son, Sarah Simpson and Simon Young set up the Ollie Young Foundation to raise funds for research into potential treatments for the condition. It also made sure that the name of their son would not be forgotten.
Ms Simpson said that when she looks back on the time that has passed, it doesn’t feel as though it’s been 10 years.
“I take each day as it comes, it’s all just happened and now we’re here,” she said.
“I have learned a lot about myself through running the foundation.”
One of the aspects of running the charity which Ms Simpson enjoys the most is the connection she feels with the other volunteers. This includes Ollie’s dad Simon — even though the couple separated soon after Ollie died, he is still involved in the foundation.
For Mr Young, the foundation is a connection with his son and a motivation to keep going.
He is open about the impact the death of his son has had on him.
“It hit me really badly and I find every February hard,” he said.
“I believe it’s important that men are open about their mental health and talk about it.
“But I carry Ollie with me and I am so proud of the work we do.”
Everyone who works for the foundation is a volunteer, meaning that 100% of money raised goes to the projects it supports.
“Many of the others have memories of Ollie too and have been with us since the beginning, which is amazing,” Ms Simpson explained.
“Sometimes I would love for us to be a bigger organisation, but really I want to keep the personal touch because I like being able to thank each of our fundraisers individually.
“That connection, being part of the community, it’s who we are.”
The Ollie Young Foundation has grown from its humble beginnings when volunteers sold wristbands at Wokingham’s Carnival Pool, where Ollie had enjoyed swimming lessons.
To date, it has spent £446,656 on research projects and supporting other families facing a similar diagnosis. Grants made to Helen & Douglas House and CLIC Sargent have helped to refurbish their facilities.
Tomorrow, Ms Simpson and Mr Young are visiting the Institute of Cancer Research in London to meet Yura Grabovska, the researcher whose work is currently being funded in their son’s name.
Mr Grabovska is part of The Giloma Team, a wider project that analyses biopsy samples taken from children with brain tumours.
Mr Young is confident that research will find answers and said that: “This is why we set the foundation up — to help others.”
“To see the fruit of our fundraising efforts and knowing that it is real is always exciting,” Ms Simpson added.
“But it’s an achievement to still be going.
“We have avoided some of the issues faced by charities with paid staff, and it’s been a tough couple of years with events being cancelled or not going to plan.”
One of the events to suffer was last Saturday’s planned stall in Wokingham town centre, which had to be cancelled due to strong winds in the aftermath of Storm Eunice.
But Ms Simpson is optimistic about future plans.
“There’s still lots to look forward too, including the Summer Fun Day, which we are currently planning,” she said.
The fun day is set to return after a two year absence, and is part of the Ollie Young Foundation 10 for 10 “anniversathon”.
Events in the fundraising drive include a chance to take part in the London 10 Peaks Challenge next month with Team Ollie, a seven aside football tournament in May, and a quiz night in October. In April there is a competition for entrepreneurs to turn £10 into the biggest profit for the charity. Mr Young is also planning an abseil later on in the year.
Of all the foundation’s activities, it is the fun day that holds special meaning for Ms Simpson and Mr Young. It is one of their favourite parts of their work with the charity.
“I love planning events, it’s one of the things I have learned about myself during the past 10 years,” Ms Simpson explained.
“And our fun days are a real celebration of everything Ollie enjoyed in one feel-good moment.”
For Mr Young, it is the reward of seeing all of the hard work pay off.
“Hundreds of people come and enjoy themselves, and they all know they are there for Ollie,” he said.
“It’s incredible.”
The Summer Fun Day will be held in Cantley Park in Wokingham on Sunday, August 14, between 11am and 2pm.
For more information, visit: ollieyoungfoundation.org
