This page is intended to recognise and thank as many people as we can remember. Please don't be offended if we have missed you out, just drop us a reminder and you will be included too - the last few months have gone very fast and so many people have helped and shown support that we are bound to forget a few!

For those who are Alex's friends or kids that would like to show their support, please send a picture to alex@cheekymail.net and I will put it on this page.

Omnicom Engineering Limited
My thanks goes out to all those at work who are tolerating my sudden disappearance and intermittent visits. I shall ever be in debt to the management of Omnicom who have eased my stress with their support.

Myddelton Consultancy - Mark, Ben, Helen and the rest of the crew for being understanding with my interesting and random working hours.

Abacus Day Nursery
Abacus have helped tremendously. As soon as Alex was taken into hospital, the Abacus team took on Tom 5 days a week allowing us to look after Alex in hospital without Tom's routine being even more messed up. They have also sent cards and a poster painted by Alex's friends that added cheer to his hospital room. We have also had visits to the hospital and presents from some of the staff.

Joan and David (Nanna and Granddad) who have put up with us running around like blue bottomed flies for months now. They have also taken in Tom and the dogs. Numerous small and large jobs and tasks have been requested from them by us and performed without question. Too many selfless activities have been performed by this wonderful couple to mention but all have been appreciated.

Lesley and Graham (More Nanna and Grandpa) who took just six hours from my call to them in Spain to bursting through the doors in St James's in Leeds. They are in the middle of moving house in Spain and have dropped everything to offer support, time and love to all the family. We really appreciate the many things that they have done without pause.

Uncle Andrew who managed to jump ship in the middle of the North Sea when he received word about Alex's diagnosis. Andrew has looked after Tom, frequently visited us in hospital and shown love and strength of character whenever needed. He has travelled from Norwich many times to make sure he is close to help as often as possible.

Evil Uncle Jonny who wants to be the bad influence in the lads lives. Jon zoomed up from London on hearing of Alex's plight and has travelled up since to amuse the lads. He has also donated a big wad of cash towards my laptop so I can do some work from the hospital. I'm currently trying to take him out of his London burrow and to get a job in Leeds so we can see him a lot more!

Aunt Sally who also rushed up from London (during the confusion of organising her wedding) and as a GP could fill in the blanks when we were worrying most about Alex's condition.

The Staff at Airedale and St James's Hospitals. All the staff we have encountered so far are incredibly knowledgeable, generous with their time and courteous. Seeing such poorly kids everyday must be hard on them too but they work hard to make sure our most precious monsters have the best care possible. From the domestic staff to the omnipotent nurses to the consultants, our thanks for their limitless supply of energy.

Chloe who understands more than most what Alex is going through and who drew a lovely picture to brighten up his room. We send you all our love and are thinking of you.

Rona for the Winnie the Pooh and Spot the Dog story cassettes.

Barbara and family for clothes, biscuits, etc.....

Ian for the alcohol and cat.

Jan and Helen for the books. They have been most welcome in the the early hours when Alex has been in pain and too weak to move. He'll look at the pages, point and say "ook!" for what feels like hours.

Nicki and Sally from Abacus for the fish toy bath play thingy that no bath time can be without now. We left it at home once and had to find something similar from the playroom to stop the tears.

Graeme and Liz + Joe for the weeble fire engine. I did not know you could still buy weeble stuff; it's kept me amused for ages. Alex can have it back soon, I promise.

Elsie for the super cuddly teddy bear that gets most hugs from Kirsten when Alex is feeling rotten and does not want to be touched.

Jinous for the teddy bear and for taking Tom out when he was feeling a bit abandoned by his parents. He's also very proud of his shiny teeth, thanks.

Helen and Jon for the stock of food and for allowing your house to be trashed by Tom on a regular basis.

Ross and Jean for the funny play phone that Alex likes me to ring Nanna on. Thanks... don't I look even more of a twit than usual? Plus Tom's very squirty bath train.

John Ward and the rest of the The Priory, Bolton Abbey for the unwavering support and prayers.

Geoff Finch for the teddy who has been adopted as Alex's best friend right away. We hope the traffic was better on the way back down south.

Clare Walker for coming back from Spain especially to see Alex. Congratulations on the engagement - there are men spread over most of the globe who are gutted you're now off the market.

Tain Free Church for the prayers and toy piano that must be the first gift that he preferred more than the wrapping! Normally the toy is put aside until the paper is shredded but he is loves this little keyboard. Thank you.

Here are a few of the messages we have received for Alex....

From: Belinda Redmond
Date: 10 August 2004 22:44:54 BST
To: alex@cheekymail.net
Subject: Big hugs for a brave boy...

Hi Alex,
Just visited your website and wanted you to know that we are thinking of you every single day and wishing you well. Although you're only little and must be feeling pretty rough right now, you have a wonderful Mammy and Daddy and big brother to help you through this hard time. You look gorgeous in the pictures, the image of Tom!
Get well soon, you have a new friend Jacob who just can't wait to meet you,
Love to you all,
Belinda, Cormac and big slobbery kisses from Jacob XXX

Subject: Hello from Polly
From: "Sandi Hayhurst"
Date: Mon, August 23, 2004 15:30
To: alex@cheekymail.net

Hello Alex

This email is sending a big hug from Tom's friend Polly and her Mummy.

We only just heard that you are in hospital and are wishing you all the best. Mummy is going to go home and look at all her crystals to find one to help.

Please give extra big hugs to Mummy and Daddy and let them know that we would love to help in any way we can...perhaps even just take Tom down to the park with Polly.


Polly Hayhurst
xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Subject: Alex - The Great!
From: GEOFF FINCH
Date: Tue, August 24, 2004 7:54
To: alex@cheekymail.net

Hi everyone. I really like the website, very informative.
You're right, the pictures don't show somebody who is really quite ill. As you say, nobody's told him.
I guess that he's about halfway through the programme now? Have the doctors given any indication of how things are going?
I know that I'm a long way from you, but if there is anything I can do please let me know.
Thinking about you all

Best wishes and fingers and toes crossed!

Geoff Finch

Subject: Hello
From: "gbagates"
Date: Fri, August 27, 2004 12:43
To: alex@cheekymail.net

Dear Alex,
We all hope you are feeling better. I have an Alex. He is 17! I'd better introduce myself. I was at school with your grandma Lesley (she was a really good girl!). Yes Tim your mum really did go to school. Any secrets I shall expect a bribe! Back to Alex, please get well soon.
Love from Gillian, Bernard and big Alexander.

Subject: Hello from Sean and Stefanie
From: "Debbie Millard"
Date: Tue, August 31, 2004 13:01
To: alex@cheekymail.net

I didn't realise Alex was ill (we've been away). Just wanted to say we're thinking about you at this difficult time and all our best wishes to Alex for a speedy recovery and to the rest of you.

Hope to see you soon when Alex is hopefully on the road to recovery.

Debbie Joachim Sean and Stefanie (from Abacus Nursery).

Subject: Hello alex
From: Cheryl
Date: Fri, September 3, 2004 17:57
To: alex@cheekymail.net

Hello alex,mum,dad.and thomas
just wanted to send an email sending you my love and best wishes and to say i cant wait to see alex back at abacus he is a lovely little boy and has a great big brother too.
hope everything is going ok at the moment. have been keeping up to date with his website
anyway love to you all
cheryl(abacus staff member)

Subject: Love from Australia
From: "Dawes, Kerry"
Date: Wed, September 8, 2004 2:57
To: alex@cheekymail.net

Hi Alex,

I've just been looking at your web site and you have been having a very rough time lately. Hope you are over the worst of it and start to feel better soon. Please give my love to Mum, Dad, Tom and all the Grandparents. You are blessed to be born into such a wonderful, caring and supportive family.
We all hope you start to feel better soon and that the worst is behind you.

Lots of Love

Kerry (Dawes)
XXXXXXX

Subject: Greetings from America!
Date: Fri, September 10, 2004 15:05
To: alex@cheekymail.net

Hello Alex this is Jill a friend of Nanna Joan I do hope that you are feeling better today.
we were so sorry to hear about your illness and are saying our prayers and sending good thoughts to you across the ocean.


WE all send our love

Jill Dave Craig Melanie(in Colorado) ( Samantha Chris Jack & Maggie in Charlotte North Carolina)

From: "Proser 2000 Vera"
Date: Wed, 8 Sep 2004 17:44:20 +0200
Hola Lesley,
Lo siento mucho todo lo que os est pasando a ti y a tu familia, he visitado la pagina web, aunque no he entendido mucho, pero cuando tenga tiempo la voy a traducir, porque es un nio precioso, y no es justo que eso le pueda pasar a alguien tan indefenso.
No te preocupes por nosotras, tu tomate tu tiempo con tu familia all y no te preocupes por nada, si necesitas algo no dudes en pedirmelo, aqui estamos para ayudarte. Mandale un beso muy grande a ese nio tan guapo y tan rubio, y por supuesto dales un abrazo a los padres y para ti y tu marido otro tambien. Ser fuertes.
Si tengo que hacer algo para la pagina web me lo decis y lo hago, y si por ver la pagina web os dan dinero no dudes en decirmelo y a todos mis amigos les dir que entren para que podais conseguir mas dinero.

Un beso muy grande para todos.
adios lesley

Subject: Hello from Vietnam
From: "Steve Hewitt"
Date: Sun, September 19, 2004 10:23
To: alex@cheekymail.net

Hello there

David passed on the website details and we have taken a look.
You seem to have all really been through the wringer just recently.
Just wanted to say we are thinking about you and know what you are going through.
Chloe and I go off to Singapore on Mon 20th for round 7 chemo. Steve will come down on Friday untill Sunday.
Chloe will be an inpatient for about 4 days them back to a serviced apartment. We have to attend most days for GCSF (white cell booster) and chemo mondays.
If Chloes bloods are good enough she can have the Vincristin, if not we have to wait for them to come back up again. Last round all went to plan, fingers crossed for same this time.
Stay strong.

Love
Shirley Steve and Chloe
xxxx