Phoenix proud to support local fundraiser

We were contacted by one of our employees, who asked if we could support his niece with an upcoming fundraising event she was organising.

The event was for a family friend Kai Parke-Smith, a 12-year-old Wolverhampton boy, battling brain tumours. In August 2021, Kai was diagnosed with a malignant tumour on his central nervous system. He underwent 10 hours of surgery, followed by proton radiotherapy treatment in Manchester and then intensive chemotherapy at Birmingham Children’s Hospital. Not once did he moan about this treatment and just got on with it. He finally rang ‘the bell’ in the summer of 2022.

Things were looking great, Kai was improving daily, and everyone thought he was on the road to recovery.

However, in November 2022, he had another scan as part of his ongoing health check, only to be told that he had two further tumours, this time at the front of his brain. It appears that the hospital had missed these when initially diagnosing him.

Nevertheless, he again took it all in his stride and being the trooper he is, underwent another mammoth operation a week before Christmas.

This was a much harder operation as the tumours were more difficult to remove this time. He has since gone through several weeks of full head radiotherapy and continued to attend school every day before his treatment.

He truly is an amazing young boy. He is currently going through chemo which will finish in October this year.  

Kai’s family were struggling with the physical, emotional, and financial impact of his condition, taking into account the expense of travel to and from his hospital appointments, taking time from work, whilst trying to hold down full-time jobs with the fundraiser as well as dealing with the uncertainty and stress of their son’s situation. They also have other children who need their love and support.

Unfortunately, recently his parents were given the devastating news that he has more tumours on his brain and that his condition is not curable.

The money raised from the evening will help Kai and his family have a wonderful holiday when his treatment is over and make special memories with his family.

We were delighted to support by donating use of our Walsall FC Box, as well as a cash donation, Walsall football club also donated matchday hospitality and our supplier fixing plus offered a kind donation of tools and prizes.

We were thrilled to learn that the event was a great success, local comedian Gary Poundland oversaw the raffle which raised over £9,000 and was a huge success and we are pleased to have supported it in a small way.