Charity in memory of Haywards Heath boy spreads joy

Nicky and Ben Relf set up a charity called Finley’s Touch in memory of their son who battled the disease “heroically” and had three stem cell transplants in a year.

Finley died on December 6 last year after being diagnosed aged six with JMML, a very rare form of leukaemia. Only about 25 children in the UK are diagnosed with it every year.

His parents, who live in Haywards Heath, want to “keep their beautiful little boy’s laughter alive” by providing children with his favourite toys, which include honking rubber chickens.

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They said he “loved jokes, dinosaurs, Godzilla and Roblox”.

Nicky said: “No parent wants to set up a charity in their child's name. But if Finley’s Touch can share his hope, his fun and his happiness then perhaps there is some light in the darkness – especially at this hardest of times, as we mark one whole year without him.

“Finley touched everyone he met, and he continues to inspire us.   

“We need donations – monthly direct debits are fantastic, however much you can give – and we also want people to have fun.

Finley Relf (Image: Finley's Touch)

“As we head into the festive season, perhaps instead of buying someone a present you could donate on their behalf? Order some Christmas cards from our online shop? Or you can even sponsor a rubber chicken and see what crazy things they get up to.

“We’d love to hear from anyone with a joyful fundraising idea. Please help us to help as many families as we can.”  

Finley’s Touch offers “hospital survival bags” which includes toys such as top trumps, ice lolly moulds, backscratchers, honking rubber chickens and coffee for the adults.

The charity also offers financial grants to families on the oncology ward at the Royal Alexandra Children’s Hospital in Brighton.

For more information on the charity, visit https://finleystouch.org.uk/