Fundraising appeal to help brave teenager (From York Press)

Fundraising appeal to help brave teenager Lewis Thornton

10:00am Monday 15th October 2012 in News By Kate Liptrot, kate.liptrot@thepress.co.uk

A TEENAGER who beat cancer as a baby has been given the devastating news that he has months to live after his illness returned.

Lewis Thornton, 18, has battled a string of heartbreaking blows after the cancer he was diagnosed with at 16 months returned when he was 16 years old.

Following an operation to remove the brain tumour and intensive radiotherapy, Lewis developed an abscess on his brain and then meningitis which means he has lost the use of his right hand, arm and leg and the hearing in one ear and he had to spend six months in hospital.

The former York High School pupil was discharged last October, but learned earlier this year that doctors are unable to cure his cancer.

Now a fundraising effort is under way to adapt the garage of his mother Rebecca Thompson’s home off Tadcaster Road to make a comfortable and accessible living area for Lewis.

Miss Thompson said they were struggling to come to terms with what had happened, but were determined to make Lewis’s life as comfortable as possible.

She said: “I’m upset, it’s really hard. All Lewis really wanted was to be normal like his friends. It’s so sad.

“We want him to have one last Christmas, a really nice Christmas. We want to make it a nice living space for him to go and shut the door.”

Miss Thompson, who has three other young sons, said with a small amount of work, it could be the perfect space in her home for Lewis.

An event to help fund the conversion of the garage is being held at the Post Office club in Marygate on November 3.

‘Song for Lewis’ will feature various artists and tribute acts to artists including Elvis and Tom Jones as well as a live band, Pine for Cedars, and raffle.

The event will start at 7.30pm and entry is free but donations are invited. For more information, contact organiser Sue Wells on 07583629854.

Lewis said: “I would like for the garage to be converted and it’s nice people want to help.”

For more information about Lewis’ appeal, visit his Facebook group ‘Lewis Thornton Appeal’.