Charity fundraiser in memory of son passes £35,000

Sebastian's family has raised over £35,000 for the event at Wicksteed Park

A man has raised more than £35,000 for a hospital where his terminally ill son was treated.

Gregg Nunney, from Kettering, Northamptonshire, is hoping to raise £50,000 following the death of his 6-year-old son from a rare form of cancer.

Sebastian Nunney passed away in January, and a fundraising dancing event - Strictly for Seb - will be held at Wicksteed Park in his honour.

All proceeds go towards the Children's Outdoor Activity Centre at Northampton General Hospital (NGH).

The money from Strictly for Seb will go towards NGH where Sebastian was treated

Sebastian was diagnosed with neuroblastoma in 2020.

Various events, which included businesses and schools wearing orange, had been held to raise money for his treatment.

Speaking ahead of the event at Wicksteed Park, Mr Nunney said: “We just felt if we could have gotten Sebastian to choose one thing [for the money to go to,] it would be developing and supporting making changes to that activity centre.”

He added it would be “incredible” to give the five-figure sum to NGH.

‘His legacy... has really been fulfilled’

Neuroblastoma is a rare, aggressive and complex cancer, most commonly affecting children under five.

It is treatable on the NHS, but survival rates when relapses occur are poor.

Sebastian's family had raised more than £130,000 of their target of £250,000 to fund treatment either in Europe or the US, and support his care.

Mr Nunney said: "If we can hand over a large amount of money to (NGH,) I think we will feel that his legacy... really been fulfilled."

The Strictly for Seb event takes place on Saturday and will be live streamed.