Barnham teen battling tumour sets up own charity

Tyler Murphy, from Orchard Way, Barnham, has been through 11 operations and recently finished radiotherapy after first being diagnosed with a brain tumour when he was just 12.

The illness, and subsequent treatment, has affected his vision and ability to walk, and has led to him being in and out of hospitals for treatment.

It was during the time he was receiving radiotherapy for the tumour at Southampton Hospital that he decided he wanted to help other children who were suffering from serious medical conditions.

With the help of his mother, Janice Ellis, he decided to set up Tyler’s Trust to give gifts to other children and their siblings.

Janice, 46, said: “He was having radiotherapy in Southampton and we were staying in a house for six weeks and there were a couple of families with little boys, who were about three or four.

“They all got really close, so as it got to his last week he said ‘I want to by them something’ and he got them a comic and a toy.

“Even though they were sick, they were thrilled and the idea for a charity grew from there.

“He was having a hard time, so as a mum I feel so incredibly proud of him that he was positive and thinking of other people and I wanted to help him make the charity happen.”

Currently, Tyler’s Trust has been set up as a non-profit group until it raises £5,000, after which it can become a charity.

The aim of the trust is to provide a balloon and a gift box to each child suffering from a brain tumour or other life-threatening illnesses.

A gift would also be provided for any siblings.

“Initially the trust would cover children whose local hospital is either St Richard’s, in Chichester, or Worthing,” Janice said.

“The Trust would also make donations to the Snowdrop Trust and Brain Tumour Charity as funds permit.”

Tyler has recently undergone another operation and is due to have an MRI to determine how effective the radiotherapy has been in reducing the tumour.

Janice added: “For the next six months we’re going to have to wait to see how successful the radiotherapy has been.”

Tyler’s Trust has just started to raise funds and is looking for help with donations of money and raffle prizes.

At the Bognor Regis 10 kilometre run on May 18 there will be two runners raising funds for Tyler’s Trust.

A table sale is also being held on Saturday, May 3, at Felpham Parish Hall from 10am.

Help is also being sought from people who can spare an hour or two.

Janice is able to collect any donations and is also happy to give talks on the trust and brain tumour awareness in children.

She has set up a Facebook page, which can be found by searching ‘Tyler’s Trust’.

Regular updates will be posted on the page and there is also a link to a fundraising site.

Janice’s Twitter handle is @janice_ellis2.