More than £100k raised in memory of George

More than £100,000 has been raised in less than 10 months in memory of a four-year-old boy who died from cancer.

George Radcliffe, from Cambridge, was diagnosed with the soft tissue tumour rhabdomyosarcoma when he was aged three in May 2022, and he died in October 2023.

His parents, Lisa and David, set up the Just George fund to support the work of the Children’s Cancer and Leukaemia Group.

"Celebrating this huge milestone is important so our supporters know their part in raising the money, no matter how small, has been impactful," said Ms Radcliffe.

George underwent chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery after his diagnosis, but a few months after getting the all-clear the cancer returned.

His parents said they wanted to "turn the negative energy from that into a positive drive to raise funds, specifically for research into rhabdomyosarcoma".

In particular, they want other families to have access to kinder and more effective treatments for childhood cancers.

George was able to attend a Just George fundraiser in Milton Country Park before his death and, in the months since, £111,660 has been donated.

Lizzie Goates, fundraising manager for the Children’s Cancer and Leukaemia Group, said childhood cancers were biologically different from adult cancers.

"Lots of children and young people are reliant on old-fashioned treatments that cause serious, long-term health problems and aren’t always effective," she said.

She told the family every penny raised would go directly to a research project.

Ms Radcliffe said the hope of helping children in the future was what kept her and her husband going at such a difficult and traumatic time.

"George would have been so proud. He loved supporting others and cheering people on," she said.

"We have no doubt that he would have celebrated this milestone with a boogie to George Ezra and 'You got this'."

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