Brave Liam has nine hours of lung surgery

Liam Fairhurst, well known to Felixstowe Scribblers as a friend and fundraiser in memory of Jack Wilkinson, has undergone further surgery in his battle against cancer. Liam and Jack met at Addenbrooke's when they were undergoing treatment for cancer and when Jack passed, Liam began his tremendous fundraising campaign.

Here, in full, is the report that was published in the Cambridge News.

Brave Liam has nine hours of lung surgery

jack.grove@cambridge-news.co.uk




CHAMPION fundraiser Liam Fairhurst has undergone nine hours of surgery in his latest round of his battle with cancer.

The brave 13-year-old had major lung surgery at Addenbrooke's Hospital to remove a tumour.

Liam's father Mark told the News Liam was unconscious for 24 hours following Wednesday's operation.

However, he added he was now conscious. Mark said: "I would like to thank the medical staff and the surgeon, Mr Samuels. The operation was successful.

"The operation has gone well and hopefully marks the last of his cancer."

Liam's incredible fundraising efforts while battling cancer last year has seen him hit the headlines across the country.

The Soham Village College pupil has raised an amazing £145,000 for cancer charity CLIC Sargent, with money continuing to pour into his appeal.
His inspirational example has also seen him meet with Gordon Brown, Princes William and Harry and Professor Stephen Hawking.

The Prime Minister was so impressed with the Soham teenager that he even mentioned him in his first Labour Party Conference speech in September.

He also has donated a bottle of whisky - autographed by his entire Cabinet - for Liam to auction online, with bidding now standing at £1,000.

Wishing Liam well last week, Mr Brown said: "Liam is a fantastic young man who is constantly a great inspiration to others, and he continues to make a huge effort to improve life for other children with cancer."

Liam has also supported the News's campaign to raise £1million for a specialist teenage cancer ward at Addenbrooke's Hospital.

He is also on a children's board that allows young people with experience as patients to have a say on £80 million plans for a world-class children's centre at Addenbrooke's Hospital.

The board, called ACTIVE (Addenbrooke's Children and Teenagers' Ideas and Venture Enterprise), has 28 members aged eight to 18 and has already met twice.

It is hoped the children's hospital will rank alongside major children's centres such as Great Ormond Street in London and Alder Hey in Liverpool.

Building work could begin by 2010, with the first patients admitted in 2013.
Published: 24/04/2008 12:51:02