THE family and friends of a three-year-old boy who was diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer have reopened a supermarket following donations raised by store staff.

Members of the campaign-group Freddie's Fight came together on Thursday (April 11) to reopen the Co-op store in Thirsk Market Place, following its refurbishment.

The Northern Echo: RIBBON CUTTING: Freddie's Fight and Co-op staff reopened the store in Thirsk Picture: Stu Boulton RIBBON CUTTING: Freddie's Fight and Co-op staff reopened the store in Thirsk Picture: Stu Boulton

The campaign group, which recently managed to raise £125,000 out of a £250,000 goal, cut the ribbon to dozens of waiting customers, to reopen the store after its two week closure.

In September, Freddie Thompson of Ampleforth in North Yorkshire, was diagnosed with stage four neuroblastoma.

Just two at the time, the cancer which affects about 100 children each year, rendered Freddie extremely poorly.

Having already undergone several chemotherapy sessions, a ten-hour operation to remove his tumour, he has four more days of radiotherapy.

However, in the latest campaign in aid of Freddie, members of Freddie's Fight said they were "blown away" by the extra-support offered by the supermarket.

Helen Ward, member of Freddie's Fight, said: "The community have just been incredible, its meant so much to the entire family.

"The way everyone has come together, at times when Freddie has been his most poorly, it's just lifted us and him so much to know that everybody supports him. 

"The Co-op and other businesses in Thirsk and surrounding areas have been so supportive with their donations."

Staff at the Co-op in Thirsk raised around £1,000 in donations through a month-long campaign which involved bucket collections by till points and raffles. 

The Northern Echo: STAFF EFFORTS: The staff from Co-op in Thirsk have raised more than £1,000STAFF EFFORTS: The staff from Co-op in Thirsk have raised more than £1,000

JJ Young, Co-op Thirsk store manager, said: "In store we've raised around a thousands pounds for Freddie's Fight.

"It's been anything from donations from customers, from the team, with anything from buckets by the tills, to raising awareness all over Facebook on social media. 

"We chose Freddie's Fight as we had a member of staff who's quite close to the family, she brought it to my attention and from the minute we found out, we came forward and tried to do the best we could for Freddie." 

The Northern Echo: YOUNG BOY: Freddie, 3, has suffered cancerYOUNG BOY: Freddie, 3, has suffered cancer

Freddie's Fight are hoping to reach their £250,000 goal so that they can fly Freddie to the Sloan Kettering Memorial Hospital in New York.

From there, staff will administer a 'bivalent vaccination,' which the family claims will reduce Freddie's chance of a relapse from 50 percent to 10 percent.

Ms Ward of Freddie's Fight said: "He has four days to go, and is having to have a general anaesthetic every day so that he is still well enough to have radiotherapy.

"He's had to have a blood transfusion, he's lost his appetite, and as a result has ended up losing quite a bit of weight.

"But four more days to go and then radiotherapy is finished - so we're counting down the days because its been a tough haul for him."

The campaign group said they will continue to keep raising money for Freddie to reach their goal.

Ms Ward added that a pop-up shop will take place in Helmsley's market place, whilst they intend to hold a family-fun day on Good Friday at Paddock Farm near Dalton.

  • A fundraising text number,70085 followed by 'Freddiesfight 10' followed by the donation amount, has recently been set up by the group.