Sunderland firefighter looking to raise £260,000 to save life of nephew

Peter Wilson, 51, works as a crew manager for Sunderland Central Community Fire Station and by day he saves lives across Tyne and Wear.

But now, he is tackling one of the biggest battles of his life – by walking a 26-mile Three Peaks Challenge on July 19 to help rescue his seven-year-old nephew, Oliver Maw, from his cancer battle.

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Oliver, who lives in the Millfield area of Sunderland, is hoping to receive a life-saving vaccine to aid his fight against Neuroblastoma.

His family are trying to raise £260,000 to secure the treatment in the United States and is being supported by the Bradley Lowery Foundation.

His hero uncle is hoping to stump up a sizeable contribution to the fundraising effort in the charity hike next month.

Oliver Maw funderaiser - image 6 - Triplets Owen, Oliver and Oscar posing in front of the England flag. Picture: TWFRS

Peter, who has been a firefighter for nearly 30 years, will be joined by 13 firefighter colleagues as they aim to walk the Three Peaks in Yorkshire in just under 12 hours.

Mr Wilson, of Silksworth, said: “Oliver is so brave.  His positive attitude towards life enables him to tackle anything that is thrown his way.

“I’ve never heard him once complain about having to undergo the gruelling treatment.

“All of Oliver’s friends and family are tirelessly helping to achieve the final total. I just want to do my bit. Time isn’t on our side. 

Triplets Oscar, Owen and Oliver during a visit to Sunderland Central Community Fire Station in December 2019. Picture: TWFRS

“We have six months to raise thousands of pounds to get Oliver on that plane to America. We can do it! 

“Oliver’s cheeky grin lights up any room, and we just want to get him better, so we’ll move heaven and earth to do so.”

Oliver, who is an identical triplet alongside his brothers Owen and Oscar, was first diagnosed with the devastating illness back in February last year.

Oliver became gradually poorly over a four-month period. 

Oliver Maw fundraiser. Picture: TWFRS

His mum Phillipa took him to the doctors on several occasions where he was told the likely cause of fatigue and his issues with walking were down to a viral infection or growing pains.

On one occasion Oliver became unwell at school and when he came home his Mam noticed that he had raised glands and took him to A&E. 

After some investigative tests, they were given the earth-shattering news that Oliver had Stage 4 High-Risk Neuroblastoma. 

Since his diagnosis Oliver has undergone regular bouts of debilitating chemotherapy and radiotherapy at the Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI) in Newcastle and the Royal Marsden.

Triplets Oscar, Owen and Oliver - baby photograph . Picture: TWFRS

He even spent last Christmas having specialist treatment and opened his presents on a hospital ward in London.    

The next stage of Oliver’s treatment is 5-months of immunotherapy, with the hope being that the intensive combination of therapies will make Oliver cancer-free. 

Once this is the case, he will need to embark on his long trip to the US for the Neuroblastoma vaccine with the hope it will stave off cancer.    

Oliver has also received a Brave Hearts of the North award for his bravery throughout his treatment.

And he and his family have received an extra boost through the kind support and guidance of the Bradley Lowery Foundation.

The campaign from Oliver’s family has currently raised an impressive £78,480 but there’s still a long way to go.

People can contribute to the fundraiser here.

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