First grants awarded from life-saving cancer fund

Zac Oliver, pictured with mum Hannah, was declared cancer-free after treatment in the USA

Charities and children have been awarded grants from a life-saving fund originally set up to pay for a boy’s cancer treatment.

Zac’s Fund was created in 2018 to raise £500,000 so Zac Oliver, from Broseley, Shropshire, could be treated in the USA after he was diagnosed with a rare strain of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.

Following the success of the fundraiser, which included a £50,000 donation from Simon Cowell, Zac, now aged nine, was able to fly to Philadelphia for treatment and is now cancer-free.

Zac’s Fund has continued following the youngster's treatment and is now being used to support other children with cancer.

Shropshire Community Foundation, which is overseeing the fund, recently announced the causes receiving the first set of grants.

A total of £15,000 has been split between the Teenage Cancer Trust, the Tom Bowdidge Cancer Foundation, The Joshua Tree and three individual children.

Zac’s mum Hannah said the family were delighted to be able to continue the fund and help other children.

“When you are faced with such a devastating diagnosis for your child, and feel the world is against you, sometimes all you need in those difficult times, is a helping hand,” she said.

Shropshire Community Foundation trustee Sonia Roberts said the organisation was “honoured” to become the custodian of Zac’s Fund.

“We hope that our first set of grants from Zac’s Fund will be the start of a lasting legacy for children and young people in Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin in their battle with cancer,” she said.