The Stickler Family – Courageous Family, shortlisted nominee

Harri Stickler was born 8 weeks early and he was a fighter from the beginning. At 6 months old, his mum Bethan noticed severe redness and swelling in his left eye. A blood test confirmed he had a very low white blood cell count and would need urgent treatment in intensive care. He was later diagnosed with ALL Leukemia (a very rare form of cancer) and given only a 20-30% chance of survival by his doctors. Harri endured numerous procedures, injections, medications, trips to intensive care, GOSH, a full bone marrow transplant and chemotherapy, all things a little child should never have to experience.

He beat cancer once, then relapsed three times and in February 2022 his parents set up a fundraising campaign to try and raise £1 million to fly him overseas for pioneering treatment. They were told that if he didn't get the treatment, he wouldn't make his 4th birthday.

The Stickler Family have been through so much over the last 4 years. With Harri's serious condition, they had to isolate over lock down and couldn't work. They travelled back and forth to the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff, day in and day out, which was so draining on the family - but they remained hopeful and positive.

Sadly, on 18th May Harri lost his fight after contracting pneumonia - just a few weeks before his 4th birthday.

Harri's mum Beth has tried to remain as strong as she can, and she continues to support families on the ward where Harri was treated. She used the funds she raised to try and better the lives and treatments available to kids on the ward and in the future. Beth and Rhys had a huge positive impact on other families going through similar experiences, and Beth continues to work with GOSH and children's cancer charity LATCH to help where she can. They often deliver food & drinks packages to LATCH and chocolate treat bags and crafts to the ward.

Their bravery is truly remarkable.