ONE of Skye Hall’s idols, television star and magician Stephen Mulhern, has been named as the patron of the charity set up in his honour, Blue Skye Thinking.

Five-year-old Skye, from Abingdon, died on August 29 after battling a brain tumour for a year.

He also suffered from radio-chemo neurotoxicity where healthy cells in his brain and spinal cord had been damaged by the radiation therapy and chemotherapy.

In June, Skye got to meet Mr Mulhern, while visiting the set of ITV’s Britain’s Got Talent in London.

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Mum Sally Hall, 36, said: “Skye had always loved magic tricks and pranks and Stephen Mulhern was top of the list of people he wanted to meet before he died.

“At the Britain’s Got Talent final he got to sit in Simon Cowell’s seat, press the red button and teach Stephen a trick or two.

“Stephen proved to be a real sport. He gave generously of his time to Skye on what was an incredibly busy day for him.”

She added: “Within a few hours of Stephen spending time with Skye, he was touched by his inspirational character and wanted to do more to help Skye and children like him.”

Mr Mulhern said: “I was honoured to be asked to be the patron of the charity to raise funds to support research and treatment of childhood brain tumours.

“Hopefully in the years to come, other children don’t have to suffer in the same way, and have a better chance of survival with fewer long-term side-effects.”

Mrs Hall and husband Andrew set up Blue Skye Thinking before the youngster died, to support research into other treatments for childhood cancers.

The pair, along with Skye’s younger brother Jesse, two, appealed to the public through the Oxford Mail when they were trying to tick items off his ‘bucket list’ of things to do before he died.

After their request appeared on the front page, the family were inundated with offers of help.

The charity’s first project is the Loom to the Moon appeal, launched in July, to try to set a world record for the longest loom band.

It has more than 13,800 likes on Facebook, and the family has already received more than 10 kilometres of loom bands.

Today, schools across the county will receive packs to encourage pupils to get involved with the scheme.

Completed chains should be posted to Blue SkyeThinking, 59 Hendred Way, Abingdon, OX14 2AW.

To donate, text LOOM66 £2 to 70070 or visit justgiving.com/skye-hall Visit facebook.com/loomtothemoon

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