Thatcham boy raises thousands to help his Nanny

Seven-year-old pledges to help his Nanny and others with cancer

A THATCHAM boy has raised thousands of pounds for a cancer charity after being inspired to help his grandmother who is living with the disease.

Lennon Foad, aged seven, will be riding 20 miles this weekend as part of a fundraising mission inspired by his nanny, Pam Foad, who is terminally ill with cancer.

Lennon pledged to help after his nanny explained to him that money raised for cancer charities would help to research for “nanny’s illness”.

Determined to help his beloved nanny, Lennon’s selfless response was: “I want to help nanny. I want to help you and other people too.”

Since making his pledge the inspirational youngster has raised more than £2,000 for Breast Cancer Care, smashing his £500 target on fundraising site JustGiving.

Writing on his fundraising page, Lennon said: “My Nanny Pam has been the best the nanny in the whole wide world.... I am doing my bike ride because I miss my nanny.

“She needs lots of help from the nurses and I want to help the doctors find some more medicine to make her feel better so she can come home.”

Mrs Foad, aged 60, told the Newbury Weekly News that the tears had flowed down her face on hearing her grandson’s committed words.

“I could not believe a seven-year-old could be so caring,” she said.

“I love him to bits and for him to help other people as well I can only describe him as a little star of heaven.

“I think he’s absolutely amazing. He’s done it all off his own back.”

Well-known in the community as a volunteer for the Samaritans; Cub Scout leader; and council employee, Mrs Foad said that the high amount that her grandson had raised had been assisted by people who were touched by Lennon’s story and words.

She added that he had recently been awarded the friendship and kindness award at Compton Primary School, which summed up everything about Lennon’s nature.

His mother, Carly, said: “Everything that has been done so far is all down to him and I am obviously very proud of him.

“He is very close to his nanny and as we’ve approached her final months, training for his 20 miles has really helped him. They are so close and always have been. She’s so proud of him.”

Lennon will set off on his bike ride around Greenham Common on Saturday, February 28, and Mrs Foad said that she would be there to see him off even if she had to be carried. To make a donation visit https://www.justgiving.com/Ride-For-My-Nanny