Family 'proud' to honour teen who died from cancer

The family of a "loyal" teenager who died from cancer said they were proud to launch a bursary scheme in his name.

Harry Chadwick, from Spratton, Northamptonshire died six years ago, at the age of 19.

As a child, he was diagnosed with autism and as he got older, his parents wanted to ensure he could lead an independent life.

His mother Jessica Pilkington, father David Chadwick and sister Polly have just launched a bursary scheme with Northamptonshire Community Foundation to support neurodiverse young people at the end of their secondary school education.

Ms Pilkington said she started to notice Harry was unwell one Christmas when she had just lost her sister to cancer and he was coughing a lot.

While enjoying a Christmas Day dinner, with Harry sat opposite her, she could tell something was not right.

"I just had this moment when I looked at Harry and it felt like I was looking at my sister when she was poorly - like I could recognise the breathing was a little bit restricted," she said.

The following day when he had still not improved she took him to Northampton General Hospital where an X-Ray and other tests were done.

"Within 20 minutes a doctor came and said to me in front of Harry, he's got cancer.

"From that moment onwards life changed."

After doctors diagnosed Harry's cancer as terminal, an added challenge for Ms Pilkington was whether she should tell her son due to his autism.

"Towards the end when Harry got that last Christmas I actually thought maybe I need to talk to him about this, maybe I need to give him some hope and talk about heaven - whatever would make him feel better.

"I still remember the day I tried to and he was so angry with me. He did not want to know.

"He wanted to live."

Speaking of her son's character, Ms Pilkington added: "Harry lit up a room. He was hilarious, loyal, loving, loved his friends and family and we miss him every single day."

"There are different things that can define you when you lose a child and I didn't want cancer to be the defining point," Ms Pilkington continued, speaking of Harry's Fund.

"I wanted to look at the fact before he got ill we were focused on what would he do when he left school."

Harry's Fund was launched for Northamptonshire-based students, aged between 15 and 21, who have a confirmed diagnosis of a neurodiverse condition.

They can apply for an award of between £150 and £250 to support their transition into sixth form, college, an apprenticeship or volunteering opportunity.

Northamptonshire Community Foundation will accept applications at any time and application forms can be requested from the grants team via [email protected].

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