THE favourite performers of a Selby boy who died from a form of cancer are preparing to raise thousands of pounds in his name.
Four-year-old Thomas Cammack died in April following a year-long battle with neuroblastoma, and hundreds of people filled Selby Abbey to pay tribute to him and celebrate his life.
Thomas’s coffin was carried into the Abbey to music from The Gruffalo Live, his favourite show, which he had been to see only weeks before he died.
The cast of the show, including Owen Guerin (The Gruffalo), Timothy Richey (Fox, Owl and Snake), Josie Cerise (Mouse, Daniel Foxsmith), and company manager Heather Rose, were so touched by meeting Thomas, they will take part in a sponsored sky dive on September 12, to raise money for the charity Families Against Neuroblastoma.
Josie Cerise, who plays Mouse, said the cast felt lucky to have spent time with Thomas, following a performance in Hull on April 14.
She said: “Most young children who meet the Gruffalo are usually frightened. Not Thomas, he went straight up to the Gruffalo and chatted away! The whole family were lovely, and we all had lots of fun, particularly Thomas and the Gruffalo who had a big hug before heading home.
“A few days later, we found out that Thomas had sadly passed away. Although we only spent a short time with Thomas, we saw very quickly what a funny, brave and gorgeous little boy he was.”
The cast hope to wear their costumes during the jump, and have set a target of £2,500, which will go towards raising awareness of the disease, and supporting families of children who suffer from it.
Josie said: “We don’t often meet the children after the shows. The Gruffalo has been to Great Ormond Street to meet children before, and he’s going again in June, but we’re starting to realise the Gruffalo is something the children really love, and if we can give anything back, we will.
“With things like charity it takes something like this to really be inspired to do something. We only met Thomas for 15 minutes, but he managed to make such an impact on us all.”
To sponsor the Gruffalo Live team, go to justgiving.com/The-Gruffalo-Jumps
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