‘Inspiring’ New Milton schoolboy Finlay Guppy raises £2,700 for charity Young Lives vs Cancer with 12 hour game-a-thon

A NEW Milton schoolboy fighting cancer took on a 12-hour game-a-thon and raised more than £2,700 for a charity supporting youngsters with the disease.

Finlay Guppy (11) was raising funds for Young Lives vs Cancer, the UK leading charity for children and young people with cancer and their families.

Exhausted but happy after his marathon online gaming session, he said: “It was much harder than I thought it would be, but I’m really happy I raised so much money to help people.”

He was diagnosed with Wilms’ tumour – a rare kidney cancer which affects children – at the age of seven in 2021. After treatment, he enjoyed a period of remission but sadly the cancer returned in 2023, and again last year just months after recovery.

Finlay’s mum Nicky said: “Despite his setbacks, Finlay continues to fight with incredible courage, strength, and determination, inspiring everyone around him. Every year, Finlay makes an effort to raise funds for the charities that have supported him throughout his cancer journey.

“Even though he is still undergoing treatment and faces physical limitations, he refuses to let this stop him.”

Nicky said the family was “very proud” of him: “He kept going and was determined to complete the 12 hours. His friends really motivated him and gave him the support he needed at the halfway point, and then his dad and uncle played with him until the end.

“He did so well and is feeling very chuffed. He’s still receiving donations from people, we can’t believe it.”

Finlay is currently receiving treatment at Southampton Children’s Hospital, and he and his family are being supported by a Young Lives vs Cancer specialist social worker.

Liz Blunt, of Young Lives vs Cancer, said: “It’s so lovely of Finlay to think of others while he is going through treatment. Our social worker Nicky is supporting Finlay and his family and we both really appreciate Finlay choosing to support Young Lives vs Cancer. We can only provide practical, emotional and financial support to families like Finlay’s thanks to those who so kindly get involved with fundraising and making donations.

“A special thank you to Finlay, his family and his supportive school who have all come behind Finlay to show their support. A massive thank you to Finlay for his incredible support in taking on this challenge, he has done so brilliantly with his exceptional fundraising and we really appreciate his support.”

To donate to Finlay’s fundraiser https://bit.ly/4jDCs0M

Find out more about Young Lives vs Cancer at www.younglivesvscancer.org.uk