Fundraiser to help little boy with 'infectious laugh' receiving cancer treatment in Sheffield

Three-year-old Charlie Bragan fell ill over the summer and after weeks of tests was diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukaemia (ALL), which is a cancer of the blood and bone marrow, can spread quickly and requires immediate treatment.

The Barnsley youngster has started a treatment plan at Sheffield Children’s Hospital, with his mum Laura and dad Jak having to finish work to be at the youngster’s side and to care for his five-year-old big brother, Joey.

Parking fees at the hospital alone have cost them £125.

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Friends and relatives have launched an online fundraising appeal to help Charlie and his family with over £4,500 raised in three days alone.

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The cash will be used to support the family during Charlie’s leukaemia battle.

The fundraising appeal on the Go Fund Me site says: “Any funds raised will be spent on giving Charlie the best life possible; financial support for his mum and dad, including monthly bills and travel expenses for getting to and from the hospital; to be able to make changes in their home to suit Charlie’s needs; days out with his family and friends; a family holiday - Fingers crossed!

“Anything you can spare, no matter how little or big, will help give Charlie the best future possible.”

It continues: “Charlie is three years old, and usually the cheeky chappy of the group with an answer for everything and an infectious laugh.

“He fell ill during Summer 2022, with lots of unexplainable problems and doctors not really sure of what was going on.

“Fast forward a few weeks, and Charlie became so poorly he was in so much pain and couldn’t walk.

“After two hospitals and lots of tests, Charlie was diagnosed on the 24th August with acute lymphocytic leukaemia. Acute means that the leukemia can progress quickly and we sure saw that happen.

“The family’s life turned upside down over night and both parents had to immediately stop working – one being self-employed – to be beside their son who has been rushed for further testing including lumbar puncture, chemotherapy, blood transfusions, platelet transfusion, kidney treatment and steroids.

“This means that the family has little to no income and at this moment, cannot make a claim for any financial support until the three month mark. With the current cost of living crisis, travel expenses to and from the hospital and needing to make changes to their family home, both mum and dad are struggling to make ends meet.

“We want to be able to support them above and beyond their day to day lives.”

To donate to Charlie and his family visit their Go Fund Me page.

Charlie’s mum said she hopes to raise awareness of Charlie’s health condition so that other parents can be alert to the symptoms.

Adults and children can get ALL but it is most often diagnosed in younger people.

Chemotherapy is the main treatment. Some people need to have a stem cell transplant.