Honouring what should be Fin's 21st birthday

Liz Fussey 2 min read

Our thoughts are with the loved ones of Finlay Church, lost to a glioblastoma in 2015, as they mark his 21st birthday without him.

Aged just 11, Fin (pictured above and below) passed away 17 months after diagnosis with a glioblastoma. He had undergone surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy, as well as taking part in trials to try to prolong his life.

Incredibly, during his illness, Fin dedicated himself to fundraising, helping to raise more than £100,000 for Brain Tumour Research and the Birmingham Children’s Hospital and, deservedly, was named a Child of Courage in the Pride of Birmingham Awards.

Building on Fin’s legacy, his parents Penny (pictured with Fin above right) and Wayne have tirelessly campaigned and fundraised to help bring about better outcomes for brain tumour patients.

Fin was remembered at our Gala Dinner in March this year, celebrating the Charity’s 15 years of research impact, with GoGoVox motivated to be the headline sponsor for the event through their connection to “our dear friend Penny Church, who lost her son, Finlay.”

Penny said: “Fin was full of life, funny, kind, and brave. When he was diagnosed, we were shocked to learn how little funding and awareness brain tumours receive. Despite everything, he never lost his smile.

“This year marks an incredibly significant milestone for us as it will be Fin’s 10-year angelversary and what would have been his 21st birthday. My biggest fear is that he’ll be forgotten, or that he died in vain. We can’t do anything more for Fin, but we will fight until the day we die to try and make a difference for others facing this disease.”

You can donate here to honour what would have been Fin’s 21st birthday – just add Finlay Church in the comments.

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Liz Fussey, Communications Officer
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