Heroic Bebington schoolboy Elliot Wild to be remembered at Midnight Candle Walk for Claire house and Clatterbridge Cancer Research

Sep 28 2011 by Lorna Hughes, Bromborough and Bebington News

A SCHOOLBOY from Higher Bebington who fought a brave battle against leukaemia will be remembered at a charity candlelit walk next month.

Elliot Wild’s mum Jackie will join walkers at the Clatterbridge Cancer Research and Claire House Midnight Candle Walk, which is taking place on November 11 in Sefton Park, Liverpool.

The charities are inviting walkers to take part in memory of loved ones they have lost, for those undergoing treatment and in celebration of those who have conquered illness.

Elliot Wild was diagnosed with leukaemia at the age of nine but was determined to fight the disease and carried on going to school.

The treatment the football-mad youngster received was initially successful, but he had a relapse in July 2010 and needed a bone marrow transplant.

He and his family had held “donor drives” and encouraged 1,000 people to sign up to the bone marrow register.

But in March, just five days before the life-saving transplant was due to be carried out, doctors found the cancer had spread to his blood.

The nine-year-old died at Claire House surrounded by his family – and they are now passionate about raising money for the hospice.

Jackie said: “Elliot was the most handsome, bravest little boy in the whole world and we are so proud of him. He was a typical boy and was always interested in his football.

“It is so important to get the message out there to normal families about the work the charity does.

“We will forever be grateful to them. Claire House is a charity and they helped us through it all.

“We are very fortunate to have it on our doorstep. From the moment you walk in, it just blows you away. It is a very special place.”

Clatterbridge Cancer Research – not to be confused with Clatterbridge Centre for Oncology – funds teams of research scientists working in Merseyside and must raise £2m a year.

Claire House needs to raise about £2.5m a year.

Registration for the midnight candle walk is £10 and includes a battery-operated candle. Dog walkers are welcomed to attend. Anyone under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

The deadline for registrations is midnight on Friday, October 28 at www.midnight candlewalk.org