Unwell Young Magpie – Tom Laurence Appeal

Thomas Laurence and his family need your help, generosity and kindness.

Thomas is an 11 year old boy and like all 11 year-old boys, he loves sport, his family and his friends. He was embracing with an enhanced sense of pride his last year at Sherwood Primary School being named house captain – recognition of his beautiful personality and emerging leadership skills. Starting the year with this honour and being an average active boy who loves his basketball and playing footy for the Sherwood Magpies, nothing made everyone who loves and knows him prouder, especially the sense of pride he has in himself. 

In February 2018, Tom was admitted to the emergency department of the Lady Cilento Children’s Hospital with symptoms of headache, pain behind his right eye, vomiting and extreme sleepiness. Young Tom and his family did not know what news was to come.A family’s worst nightmare. Scans revealed a malignant 5cm tumour in Tom’s brain.

Four surgeries later, a significant portion of the tumour has been removed. However, Tom now faces six weeks of challenging radiation and chemotherapy treatment. 
Thomas and his family including his older sister and two younger brothers need your support to help them through this most difficult of times. Those of us in the Sherwood/Graceville/Chelmer community have been through a lot since 2011 with the floods which also impacted the Laurence family.

2011 was a challenge we all overcame as a local community, banding together to help each other anyway we could. Now we are asking on behalf of the family that the wider community come together once more to help one of our own – a bright shining emerging star – so that he and his family can fight this the best way possible and help Thomas return to school and fulfil his final year as a leader at Sherwood Primary School. 

They require extra assistance for ongoing specialist treatment and subsequent care. Due to Tom’s condition, his parents Robbie and Kathy are spending much of their time at hospital and at present are unable to work. With three other children to also care for and support, their financial and emotional support system is being stretched, but with assistance from us all, we can help them get through this. 

Anything you can do, no matter how big or small, to support this beautiful family at this difficult time would be greatly appreciated. Help us to help them to ensure Thomas gets to kick more goals, shoot more hoops and finish primary school as a leader of his peers.
 

Thank you very much in advance for your generosity. Words cannot express the family’s appreciation of your kindness.

DONATION LINK: https://www.gofundme.com/h5gfe6-laurence-family