A SPECIAL family fun day was held at Budehaven’s sports tennis dome recently to celebrate the first birthday of Oakley, who was diagnosed with cancer at six-weeks-old.

Oakley was diagnosed with neuroblastoma, a rare cancer in children.

He received treatment at Bristol Children’s Hospital, and the family were allowed to stay at the CLIC Sargent accommodation, Sam’s House, in Bristol. This meant the family didn’t have to constantly make the two-hour drive from their home in Bude.

Now, Oakley is in remission, and to celebrate this fantastic news, and that he has reached his first birthday, the family organised the family fun day.

Oakley’s parents Lianne Crook and Will Cohen, also wanted to do something to raise money for CLIC Sargent, who gave the family such a lot of support.

Liane said: “It was to say thank you to everybody and just to show we appreciate their support. When we were in Bristol CLIC gave us a place to stay, at Sam’s House. It’s all funded by CLIC.”

The fun day raised £500, which will be donated to the charity.

Liane said they were pleased with how it went, and how many attended, considering it was the #Tal19 race in memory of Talan Penny, on the same day.

Liane added: “We’re fighting for the same thing.”

At the family fun day, there were lots of games, like ring toss, tombola, a paper aeroplane toss, and a bouncy castle.

Lots of support was given to the family for the event by Bude-based Oakley Construction Group, who sponsored the day.

The star of day day was Oakley, and everyone who attended were delighted to be celebrating such a milestone for him and his family.

Liane added: “Back in January we were absolutely terrified that we we weren’t going to see Oakley’s first birthday. He’s done amazingly well. He’s taken his first steps. You would never think he has been through what he has. We just wanted to celebrate.

“I would just like to say a massive thank you to everybody that came along, everybody that donated prizes and to the community of Bude just for the support they’ve shown.”