StemCell Therapy

A five-year-old boy has raised over 500 for charity after losing his best friend.

Rowan Lyons took part in five 2k junior park runs to honour the youngster who lost her battle with brain cancer this year. Rowan's best friend, Sophie Welburn, was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive brain tumour in July, last year, when she was just four-years-old, Chronicle Live reports.

She was given nine months to live after her diagnoses and lost her battle with the disease in March. The pair met in September at Abbey Infant School, on Cleveland Terrace in Darlington, where they became best friends.

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After Sophie's death, young Rowan decided to complete park runs to honour each year of the youngsters short life. The schoolboy has raised 502 for brain tumour research.

Rowan said: "I felt really sad when Sophie died, and I miss my best friend. I wanted to do something good, and I like running. I felt very tired afterwards."

Despite Sophies illness, she continued to go to school until March, this year. Sophie's condition quickly deteriorated and on March 18 she died peacefully at home with her loving family by her side.

Rowans mum, Marianne Lyons, said: "My husband, Rob, and I are really proud of him. We still talk about Sophie, and the fundraising has helped Rowan to understand what has happened."

Sophie was diagnosed with a brain tumour known as a diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG). It forms in glial cells in a part of the brain stem called the pons.

The pons controls the nerves and muscles that help us perform basic but vital functions such as walking, talking, breathing and swallowing. A DIPG takes over this area of the brain and gradually stops these functions working.

Sophies Mum, Louise Wray, said: "Rowan didnt know Sophie was poorly and he embraced her like any other child. Although Sophie only attended a few mornings each week when she was well enough to, Rowan would wait for her by the door of the classroom.

"They were so close, she even made him a Valentines card." Sophies dad, Chris Welburn, added: "Sophie and Rowan were such good friends, and I think what hes done is so lovely.

"He is a little superstar. I think Sophie would be so proud of Rowan, and she would be cheering him on."

According to Brain Tumour Research, brain tumours kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer. Yet historically, just 1% of the national spend on cancer research has been allocated to the disease.

Brain Tumour Research funds sustainable research at dedicated centres in the UK. It also campaigns for the Government and the larger cancer charities to invest more research into brain tumours in order to speed up new treatments for patients and find a cure.

Matthew Price, community development manager at Brain Tumour Research, said: "We also think Rowan is a superstar, and were really grateful to him as its only with the support of people like him that were able to progress our research into brain tumours and improve the outcome for patients like Sophie who are forced to fight this awful disease.

"Unlike many other cancers, brain tumours are indiscriminate. They can affect anyone at any time. Too little is known about the causes and that is why increased investment in research is vital."

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'I miss my best friend': Five-year-old runs 10k to honour girl who died from rare brain tumour - Teesside Live

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