The family of a 17-year-old boy who died at the Royal Free of leukaemia has set up a trust fund in his memory. Edward Griffith, better known as Edd, died at the end of the summer following a two year battle against the disease.
The charitable trust has been set up by Edd?s father, Paul, and his mother, Michele Samm, who lives with her three other children at the family home in Ampthill near Bedford.
To launch the fund, two of Edd?s best friends, Alex Wakely and Mark Girven, recently did a charity bicycle ride from the Royal Free to their school, Bedford School.
?Alex and Mark have been real troopers,? said Michele. ?They were up at the crack of dawn to set off from the hospital and completed the 70-mile trip in just under five hours!?
Edd was diagnosed at the Royal Free with leukaemia in September 2004, a week after his 16th birthday. ?It was a time of intensive treatment,? remembered Michele. ?Edd began treatment at Addenbrookes hospital in Cambridge and then went to our local Bedford hospital. Things took a turn for the worse in February this year when he had a relapse and we were told that his only chance for survival was to have a bone marrow transplant.
?It was an incredibly emotional time but we were advised that some of the most experienced medical staff for transplants are at the Royal Free so we returned there for the next five months until his death in July.?
Alex Wakely added: ?Edd was a huge football fan and I?m really glad he had the chance to enjoy the World Cup, particularly when he was visited at the hospital by Gary Lineker, Teddy Sheringham and Matthew Upson!?
When asked how she feels now, Michele reflects before replying: ?I?m determined to be positive.?
?It?s unnatural to bury your child but my family is so proud of everything Edd achieved in a short time ? he even passed six GCSEs whilst in hospital undergoing gruelling chemotherapy. Edd received superb care from all staff at the Royal Free and his wish was for others with leukaemia to get the best possible treatment and we hope this fund will help to do just that.?
Sarah Smyth, ward manager, at Compston ward commented: ?Edd was an inspiration to all who met him. We?re very privileged to have cared for him and wish Michele and her family all the best for the launch of this new fund.?