J D Wetherspoon founder and staff celebrate raising £16million for children and young people with cancer

J D Wetherspoon founder, Tim Martin, was joined by staff and a young cancer survivor supported by CLIC Sargent, to celebrate having raised an amazing £16 million to fund vital services for young people affected by cancer.

Tim Martin and staff were joined by 15-year-old Tyler Hart, and his family. Tyler was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (burkitts lymphoma) in July 2016 after experiencing severe stomach and back ache which doctors initially dismissed as constipation or growing pains. It was even suggested by doctors that Tyler was making it up to miss school.

After several trips to the doctor and even emergency trips to A&E because his pain was so severe, Tyler eventually received the shock diagnosis.

During this difficult time, receiving treatment far from home in London, his family was supported by a CLIC Sargent social worker who provides financial, emotional and practical support to children and young people with cancer.

Tyler’s mum, Sue Hart, said: “When I met our CLIC Sargent social worker Jan, she offered us a grant from the charity and told us about other financial aids available which was a massive help as with our debts were piling up due to travel and all the other costs.

“We get on really well and if I had any worries I could text her or phone her.

Thankfully Tyler’s treatment was successful and has been off treatment for nearly two years. Tyler and his family were happy to be on hand to celebrate the milestone with J D Wetherspoons staff.

Tyler said: “It was a great day meeting Tim Martin and all the J D Wetherspoon staff and being able to thank them in person for all the amazing support they have given for CLIC Sargent.

“The amount they have raised will mean the world to families like mine who really need that help when you’re having cancer treatment.”

J D Wetherspoon is CLIC Sargent’s longest-standing corporate partner. The partnership was formed when the pub chain’s founder, Tim Martin, found himself sat opposite the charity’s then chief executive David Ellis on a train journey.

The chance meeting led to the agreement of a fundraising partnership with an initial target of £500,000.

Tim Martin said: “Our staff and customers continue to show tremendous support, dedication and generosity for this extremely important charity. We are enormously proud of the fact that we have raised £16-million for CLIC Sargent, through hundreds of fundraising activities each year.”

Rachel Kirby-Rider, Director of  Income and Engagement at CLIC Sargent: “Year after year, the hard work and generosity of staff and customers of J D Wetherspoon continues to grow and amaze us. It’s so important to celebrate these key milestones and thank everyone for all they’ve done.

“The money they have raised will make a huge difference to families like Tyler’s, who can often be miles away from home for long and gruelling cancer treatment. With J D Wetherspoons support, we can be there for these families right from when the doctor says it’s cancer”