NEWS that a brave 12-year-old Felixstowe boy has lost his battle with cancer has today sparked a flow of tributes from his friends.Jack Wilkinson's fight against bladder cancer ended this month when he died on August 11.
NEWS that a brave 12-year-old Felixstowe boy has lost his battle with cancer has today sparked a flow of tributes from his friends.
Jack Wilkinson's fight against bladder cancer ended this month when he died on August 11.
After a moving tribute in The Evening Star this week from his parents Caz and Karl Wilkinson, others who knew Jack have followed with their own messages.
Dave Feakes is secretary at the Felixstowe Scribblers Writing Group, where Jack attended with Mrs Wilkinson.
Mr Feakes said: “Jack first came along to a meeting when he was just eight years old.
“He was such a friendly, fun-loving boy who impressed everyone at our meetings.
“When the news broke that his cancer had returned all our members were dreadfully upset, then devastated when the severity was known.
“We were so heartbroken when we heard he had passed away. Messages and tributes have been received from members new and old, from near and far.
“Jack's loss has been felt by so many. He was a talented young writer who was regarded as a friend.”
Tributes have also been received from old school friends Claire Walden and Laura Edwards.
The friends said: “We were sorry to hear about Jack as we were in his class in the year four.
“We want to say we were sorry to hear about him. He will be missed by everyone in the year.”
Jack, of Fairfield Avenue, was first diagnosed with cancer aged two but following chemotherapy treatment the family, including Jack's two brothers Carl and Daniel, thought the nightmare was over.
In April 2005 it was discovered the cancer had grown back and the youngster underwent further chemotherapy and surgery.
Before Jack got ill again he took part in charity events including The Ride for Life in aid of East Anglian Children's Hospices.
The family has asked anyone who would like to make a donation for Jack should do it to the East Anglia Children's Hospices or the Suffolk branch of Macmillan Cancer Care.
WEBLINKS:
www.each.org.uk
www.macmillan.org.uk
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