Some of the families from this year:
The Hazelby's
Paul, Ben and Jamie Hazelby were nominated by family friend, Jeni Morris, who thought that this inspirational family deserved a special Christmas present after losing their mum to Cancer in January 2009 and turning their attention to raising money for the hospice where she spent her final days.
One of the ways which the boys raise money is through charity gigs which they put on in memory of their mum. They are in two separate bands, Ben (17) plays keyboard and Jamie (14) plays the electric guitar, but they also perform as a twosome for these gigs.
One song that’s very special to the whole family is Chris de Burgh’s ‘Lonely Sky’ which was their mum’s favourite song. For Gill’s last Christmas, which was spent at the hospice, the two boys with the help of their school put together a CD of songs she loved and they performed this song for her. The song was also played at Gill’s funeral.
To download the track seen on Noel’s Christmas Presents, go to Sky Songs or iTunes. Sky Songs downloads are for existing Sky Songs subscribers only.
Christopher and Claire
Claire and Chris were nominated by Claire’s mum. She wrote to us to explain their situation and ask whether we could help them achieve the wedding of their dreams. She wrote to us at time when Chris had just undergone surgery to remove bone cancer from his lung. She was terribly distressed and believed that if they put off their wedding any longer, it may not happen at all as Chris may not survive.
In August 2010 Chris underwent an operation on his lung to remove 16 pieces of bone cancer and he continues his rehabilitation today.
This wonderful young couple have remained strong throughout their horrendous ordeal; they have a positive approach to life and after every set back they have endured, can still look ahead to a future together. In the future Chris hopes to apply for university do a Masters in teaching psychology and Claire hope to become a social worker.
Janet Lavin
Janet Lavin wrote to us to ask for a gift for her several members of her family. She wanted Noel’s Christmas Presents to treat her daughter’s Karen and Rachel and their families as Karen’s daughter Mary-Kate (now 2 years old) was diagnosed with leukaemia in October 2009, whilst Rachel was widowed in March of this year.
Unbeknownst to Janet, she was also nominated by Lynn Culver. They met through Lynn’s website www.pinkwishes.co.uk.
Lynn grants wishes for cancer sufferers through her website. After granting a small wish for Janet, they kept in touch and through Pink Wishes.
Tyler James Hoplin
Tyler has a younger brother aged 13 and twin sisters aged five. His mum is no longer in relationships with the fathers. As a result Tyler takes the male role in the household. About four or five times the family have tried to get his father back in Tyler’s life but the last time, a year ago, his father said, “it’s just not working out” and he is now remarried. His mum said that on reflection this has affected Tyler.
Before his twin sisters were born, Tyler's mum, Alison was diagnosed with thyroid cancer (in 2000). At this time Tyler and his brother Reuben were cared for by his grandparents Roy and Fay (Alison's mum and dad). Roy’s health was deteriorating so Tyler helped his Nan to look after him. Only a few months into his mum's pregnancy Roy sadly passed away resulting in Tyler losing the only male role model in his life. Tyler, aged 11, then helped raise the twin girls and his brother as well as having to attend school every day. As he was also undertaking the domestic running of the house, it’s understandable that he school work suffered.
From failing at school, Tyler has turned his education around and achieved 4 A*’s in performing arts (Lighting, Sound, DJ’ing & Construction), A - IT, B – Drama, B/C – Science, B – Maths, C/C - English and C – Welsh, all at GCSE level. At his recent prom he was awarded the ‘Most Improved Pupil’ Award. As for Tyler outside of school, his mum says his friends have taken a path that Tyler doesn’t want to take (drinking and smoking etc) so he has left them to it and is very mature for his age.
