A WEAVERHAM schoolboy has called on his classmates to help him thank St Luke’s Hospice for helping his mum to live.

Benedict Clenton was just ten years old when his mum Sarah was diagnosed with breast cancer and after a year of treatment she was referred to St Luke’s Hospice in Winsford.

Benedict was worried about what being referred to St Luke’s meant for his mum, but a year later, he got to go into school and tell his classmates that St Luke’s had helped his mum to live.

“I hated seeing my Mum suffer,” 12-year-old Benedict said. “The doctors did an amazing job but it was a challenge for me and her to keep everything going. I knew that it was getting harder and harder for my mum to put a brave face on things.

“Then, about half-way through the treatment, my mum was referred to St Luke’s. I was worried - St Luke’s is a hospice - a place where people die. I didn’t want to think about that. But here’s the big news – news that I told my form when they were choosing a charity to support – St Luke’s helped my Mum to Live. They looked after my mum so well.

“Sometimes I would go with her for appointments and then I saw just how wonderful the nurses were. They put my Mum back together again. St Luke’s helped my mum be the wonderful person she is today.”

After hearing Benedict’s news, his form at Weaverham High School decided to club together and raise funds to help show their gratitude to St Luke’s.

Benedict said: “When they heard my story, my form and Mr Ripley our form tutor, worked together and did sponsored rows and silences, filled empty Smartie tubes with coins and even given up technology for 24 hours - all in a bid to raise much needed funds for the hospice.”

The pupils ended up raising more than £1,200 for St Luke’s.

Sarah said: “The way they have understood and supported Benedict shows a great sense of empathy and care for other people. I can’t think of a better way to convey to St Luke’s how their actions help not just the people fighting cancer but also their families. Thank you Form 7DR.”

St Luke’s Day Hospice supported Sarah in a variety of ways during her treatment and recovery from breast cancer. These included hypnotherapy and complementary therapies including reflexology and reiki. Sarah also took part in a seven-week Fitstart programme, which is run in conjunction with Brio Leisure in Winsford, to help with her rehabilitation. She also continues to visit St Luke’s Lymphoedema Clinic.

The 51-year-old said: “I was about half-way through my course of chemo when I knew I was struggling. I just didn’t know how I was going to get through the next three treatments, but as a single mum I knew I needed to be there for my boys.

“I was so impressed with the care offered by St Luke’s. The nurses had such insight and empathy without me needing to explain much. They knew exactly what I needed and I left my first visit there feeling as if a weight had been lifted. I can’t thank them enough.”