12 boys to tackle mountain for cancer charity that helped classmate (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

12 boys to tackle mountain for cancer cause that helped classmate

9:10am Friday 10th February 2012 in Bradford By Claire Lomax

They call themselves ‘The Thackley Boys’ and range in age from five to 12.

But despite their tender years, they have decided to put down their remote controls for a day on Saturday, March 3, to climb Pen-y-ghent in the Yorkshire Dales to raise money for the children’s cancer and leukaemia charity, Candlelighters.

The boys, mainly pupils at Thackley Primary School, are supporting Candlelighters because of the help given to their classmate Louis Moorhouse when he was diagnosed with a cancer called neuroblastoma as a youngster.

Louis, now aged ten, underwent intensive treatment at St James’s Hospital in Leeds, and it was during this time Candlelighters made life on the wards a little more bearable for him and his family.

He survived the cancer and although it left him blind and partially deaf, he has been with the boys throughout their school lives and is a very active member of the class.

The climb will be supervised by parents, including Samantha Taylor, of Thackley, whose son, ten-year-old James Taylor, is taking part.

The 43-year-old said: “I ran The Great North Run in September for the charity, which gave me the idea to suggest the boys climb Pen-y-ghent for a worthwhile cause.

“The boys chose to support Candlelighters, which supported Louis and his family by providing help and advice during his treatment, which lasted 18 months.

“He was looked after by specialist nurses and doctors funded by them and also used facilities that Candlelighters funded, such as the seaside holiday home and play specialists on the ward.”

She said the boys hoped to complete the climb in three hours and 15 minutes. “They are very much looking forward to the climb, and are hoping to collect a lot of sponsors.”

Thackley Primary School boys taking part are: ten-year-olds James Taylor, Kieron Donohue, Isaac Nash, Ben Coates, Matthew Wiseman and Dylan Tyrer, who will turn ten on the day of the climb, nine-year-old Michael Koutsavakis and Zach Tyrer, aged five. The team also includes James Wiseman, 12, who attends Immanuel College and ten-year-old Callum Dawson, who attends Low Ash Primary School.

To sponsor the boys, visit justgiving.com/thackleyboys.