Charity in memory of North Tyneside six-year-old supports eight other children with brain tumours

A charity set up in honour of North Tyneside six-year-old Mercy Cuthbertson, who died in May, is already helping other families facing terminal illness.

Mercy, from Longbenton, had been diagnosed with a DIPG (diffuse midline glioma) brain tumour less than a year before her death. During her time with the horrendous illness, friends and family fundraised to support her and her treatment under the banner "Mercy's Mighty Fight".

Now, just months after her death, the charity founded by her parents Lorraine and Paul is already supporting others experiencing similarly heartbreaking circumstances. The charity is named Mercy's Mighty Foundation - and it received its official registration this week.

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Since forming on June 2, less than a fortnight after Mercy's death, the charity has already supported eight children with brain tumours and their families.

Mum Lorraine - who is chairing the charity - said they had had such amazing support. She told ChronicleLive: "We are turning our pain into purpose and have helped eight paediatric brain tumour families since we formed on June 2 2024. We send DIPG paediatric brain tumour patients dream boxes containing Mercy’s favourite crafts, Smyth’s Vouchers for Smyth’s Toy Store and we also offer short respite breaks for families whose lives have been turned upside down."

DIPG is a terminal diagnosis - with most children living for under a year after diagnosis. Lorraine added: "We have sent families away on respite breaks and dispatched numerous dream boxes all which were gratefully received by the terminally ill children."

She explained that the local community continued to offer "phenomenal" support - with fundraising events literally selling out. Most recently, on the August bank holiday, an event at the Wheatsheaf pub in Benton raised £1,685.

Lorraine added: "We have turned the worst pain any parent can possibly experience into a new purpose. We have good days and bad days since Mercy passed away however we take great comfort that her life has created such a positive legacy in such a short time."

To find out more about the charity and support its work, click here.