READER APPEAL: Family asks for help for terminal son Skye

The Abingdon family only have two tasks left on Skye’s list and are looking for people to help them.

The Rush Common Primary School, Abingdon, pupil has been battling a brain tumour for almost a year, after being diagnosed on August 27, 2013.

 Skye pictured in his room at the Oxford Children’s Hospital with parents Andrew and Sally and brother Jesse, two. 

Since then Skye, who is currently in the Oxford Children’s Hospital, has had an operation, several bouts of chemotherapy, sessions in a hyperbaric oxygen chamber and radiotherapy treatment.

His most recent scan, in April, shows that the tumour has finally been stabilised.

His PE teacher dad Andy, 42, said: “At that stage things were looking quite positive. That was probably the most relaxed period of time.”

Skye and Jesse meeting TV characters Rosie and Jim

Tragically, the radiotherapy treatment that has helped control the cancer has made Skye sicker than ever. 

In May he was diagnosed with radionecrosis, where healthy cells in his brain and spinal cord have been damaged by the radiation. 

Mr Hall, head of PE at Abingdon School, said: “He suddenly started losing function of his legs and hands and he was getting weaker, not stronger. 

“We’re getting to the situation where he’s not even able to hold his head up, he’s just flopped down and losing strength rapidly. 

“The picture is looking pretty bleak at the moment. We’re just taking it one day at a time.” 

Skye’s final wishes are to go swimming in a hydrotherapy pool and to pull a prank in the centre of Abingdon. 

Inspired by Just Kidding Pranks – a children’s YouTube channel – the joke would see people think they are able to get their hands on free ice cream. 

As they pull the lever on the self-serve machine, instead of ice cream squirting out, Skye would stick his head out of the container and plonk a handful on the cone held by the unsuspecting customer. 

The family enjoy a swimming session

Mr Hall said: “Skye absolutely loves performing pranks, and this is something he would love to do. 

“We are urgently looking for a handy craftsman or woman to build the ice cream dispenser and deliver it to Abingdon next week.” 
Mr Hall, also dad to two-year-old Jesse, added: “There have been enormous ups and downs.  Our gorgeous Skye has been laughing and joking more than ever. 

“He’s a true stoic, despite all the challenges he faces on a daily basis.  We’re not entirely sure of how much time we have left. We’re running out of time, but we have to give it a bash.” 

In the last year Mr Hall, along with his wife Sally, 36,  has arranged for Skye to complete his bucket list. 

Ice-skating was also on Skye's bucket list

He has met his favourite television characters arts and crafts guru Mister Maker and In the Night Garden’s Iggle Piggle, had a helicopter ride from Oxford Airport, tried ice skating at Oxford Ice Rink and been on a barge trip in Hemel Hempstead with children’s favourites Rosie and Jim. 

Mr Hall said: “We’re trying to make him as comfortable as possible and give him as many good experiences as we can.” 

“What we have said all along is that we don’t want this to be a tale of sorrow, we want it to be a tale of inspiration.  He has been our inspiration and kept us going for the last 12 months.” 

Dave Morrell, general manager at Oxford Ice Rink said: “It was a privilege to help Skye with his bucket list.

“We sectioned off a quarter of the rink for Skye and his group to have exclusive use of the ice. They all had a great time and he has inspired us all here at the rink to get out and experience life while we can.” 

• For more information or to help, visit blueskyethinking.org or email a.hall455@btinternet.com

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