Caroline Mousdale is preparing to mark the fifth anniversary of her young son’s death from bowel cancer with a fundraising event for Young Lives vs Cancer.
The secondary school teacher from Portsmouth has ploughed all her energy into raising money for the charity since losing her only child in February 2021.
Bradley died just over a year after he was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer, at the age of 23.
Caroline told The i Paper: “To say I was proud of him is an understatement. I decided I wanted to do more to raise money for Young Lives vs Cancer after Bradley died. It’s all I can do for him now.”
So far, the 57-year-old has organised murder mystery and race night events at her local pub, sold more than 5,000 handmade mini Christmas cakes at Christmas fairs and markets, and even undertaken a parachute jump in a bid to boost donations.
Her remarkable efforts have raised just under £55,000 for the charity and won her the Fundraiser Award in BBC Radio Solent’s Make a Difference Awards.
But the one thing which really matters to her is doing justice to her son’s memory. She said: “He would be absolutely blown away. The amount of lives it has changed.”
Bradley had just graduated from university when he was diagnosed with bowel cancer (Photo: Young Lives vs Cancer)Bradley was studying at university when he started experiencing stomach issues. At first, doctors though it might be anxiety or stress-related.
“Unfortunately, it was never deemed it was going to be cancer because of is age,”said Caroline, so “the doctors didn’t go down that route”.
However, by the time he had graduated and begun his first job in London matters had become so bad he was unable to endure the train journey from his home in Portsmouth to the capital.
On 17 December 2019, Bradley was diagnosed with bowel cancer. “At that time, I didn’t know it was stage 4,” his mum said.
He had emergency surgery and managed to come home for Christmas but then began chemotherapy the following February, as Covid was starting to spread in the UK.
At 22, Bradley was one of the youngest patients attending the adult oncology unit at Portsmouth’s Queen Alexandra Hospital.
He and his mother were handed leaflets about where to get help and support but his age meant he often fell through the gaps – too old for children’s charities and too young for some of the older adult care.
But Young Lives vs Cancer, which helps children and young people aged 0-25, fitted the bill perfectly.
Caroline relied on Young Lives vs Cancer after her son died (Photo: Young Lives vs Cancer)“It was a no brainer really”, said Caroline. “We were introduced to Kate as our specialist social worker. Bradley hit it off with her immediately. She was brilliant, she made such a difference.”
A recent graduate, he needed financial support during his cancer treatment and Kate was able to help him fill out forms to get it. She was also a vital link between mother and son when communication was difficult.
“Kate was able to be my tag team. I would phone her up and say this happened, he is really depressed, I’m worried about his mental health,” said Caroline.
“She was amazing, I don’t know how I would have made it through without Kate and Young Lives vs Cancer. They gave Bradley independence and dignity and both of us so much help.”
In April 2020, Bradley celebrated his 23rd birthday and marked the occasion by setting up a Facebook page asking friends and family for donations to the charity. He managed to raise £2,200.
By September 2020, his mum said it was clear “he was losing weight” and she had “started to fear the worst”.
Bradley continued with his chemotherapy. Caroline said: “We got to Christmas 2020 and my heart and head told me this was going to be his last. I did everything to make sure it was a Christmas to remember.”
A month later, Bradley received the devastating news the treatment wasn’t working, there were no other options for him and he would be receiving palliative care.
“Young Lives vs Cancer were there every step of the the way,” said his mother. “If I needed them or he needed them we just had to call them.”
Bradley died on 19th February 2021.
After his death, Caroline found it a struggle to cope.
“It was a very difficlt six months”, she said.
When she felt she had reached breaking point, it was the specialist social worker Kate she turned to for help.
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“I phoned Kate, we sat down and formed a plan and she arranged for some counselling for me”, she said.
Kate continued to support her over the next 18 months and they remain in contact now.
“To lose a child is the worst thing an adult can go through,”, said Caroline, “but to have a charity that stands by you the whole way is mind-blowing.”
A Home for Christmas appeal
The i Paper is proud to support Young Lives vs Cancer through its Christmas Appeal, A Home for Christmas, helping to make a lasting difference for families with children facing cancer.
The appeal aims to raise £100,000 to ensure the charity can continue providing vital, tailored support – from financial guidance and emotional care to its “Homes from Home” accommodation centres, which allow families to stay together near hospital during treatment.
To donate, visit younglivesvscancer.org.uk/i-appeal or text IPAPERTEN to 70580 to donate £10 or IPAPERTWENTY to donate £20.*Texts will cost the donation amount plus one standard network rate message.
What your money could buy
£5 could print five storybooks to help a child understand the cancer treatment they are having. £10 could buy food so families can cook a meal to enjoy together away from the hospital canteen. £18 helps power a Home from Home for a day. £52 means a social worker could provide emotional and practical support (such as applying for financial help or attending difficult appointments) so children and their families don’t have to face cancer alone. £70 could pay for a family stay in a Young Lives vs Cancer Home from Home so they can be near their child in hospital with cancer. £100 could fund a hardship grant for families.Hence then, the article about it s all i can do for him now the charity fundraiser who lost her son 23 to cancer was published today ( ) and is available on inews ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
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