THE charity set up in memory of young York brain tumour victim Oscar Hughes is to finance new genome research into the condition in Germany and America.

OSCAR’s Paediatric Brain Tumour charity hopes that if the research is successful, new drugs could be available within five years to treat the tumour type from which Oscar died.

Oscar, from Dunnington, died aged nine from medulloblastoma in 2014 after tens of thousands of pounds had been raised to take him abroad for promising clinical trials and research.

His parents then decided to use the money to help other children facing similar battles and set up the charity, with the aim of helping to fund research projects.

A charity spokeswoman said teams from the UK, Germany and the USA were studying medulloblastoma, which was the most common malignant brain tumour in children.

“They will be analysing the genome in medulloblastoma tumour cells while also working on new ways to test drugs for this tumour type,” she said.

“If successful, the research could show, for the first time ever, how these tumours are wired - this could mean new drugs to treat this tumour type are available within five years.”

She also revealed that the charity now had its first two patrons - Foyle’s War writer Anthony Horowitz and Sky News presenter Sarah Hewson.

York Press:

She said Sarah became involved because she was made aware of the charity by one of its supporters, who was also a journalist.

“Sarah presents Sky News Tonight alongside Adam Boulton and previously held the role of Royal Correspondent, interviewing six senior members of the British royal family including Prince Charles, Prince William and Prince Harry, and three Prime Ministers, David Cameron, Gordon Brown and Tony Blair.

“She also covered the announcement of Prince William and Kate Middleton’s engagement and their subsequent wedding, along with the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

Sarah said that on reading Oscar’s story for the first time, she had been moved to tears and inspired by his bravery and determination to help others in the midst of his own pain and suffering.

“When I met his mum, Marie, I saw instantly where that determination and compassion came from,” she said.

“The charity has already achieved so much in a short space of time but there is lots more to do and I am proud and excited to be involved with the charity as it looks to fund cutting edge research to ensure that children in the future don’t have to suffer like Oscar." 

Meanwhile, the charity is preparing to stage its first charity ball later this month at the Royal Armouries in Leeds.

The event takes place on Saturday September 24, with nearly 200 people expected to attend.

Guests will be entertained by Mr Swing’s Dance Orchestra and there will be both silent and live auctions.

The ball will have a head dress theme, with guests asked to be creative with dressing their heads, with a simple flower, different colours or an’ outrageous dazzling display of millinery.’ Speakers will include Sarah Hewson and also The Brain Tumour Charity’s Chief Scientific Officer, David Jenkinson.

“This is a celebration of what we can achieve when we all put our heads together to come up with something unique.”