The Harley Staples Cancer Trust
1036. Katherine Staples
1037. Jamie Staples
Katherine and Jamie Staples, from Rutland, founded ‘The Harley Staples Cancer Trust’ in 2010 to honour the memory of their son Harley who tragically passed away at the age of nine after being diagnosed with leukaemia.
The Trust offers free family holidays to families who have a child battling cancer and to bereaved parents who have lost a child to cancer. Following Harley’s diagnosis, friends and family fundraised £500,000 to purchase and run ‘Harley’s House’ and ‘Harley’s Caravan’ in Norfolk. Through these holiday homes, Katherine and Jamie wanted to give other families the opportunity to create lasting memories and spend quality time with their children in a safe and relaxing environment away from hospital.
In a personal letter to Katherine and Jamie, Prime Minister Theresa May said:
“Your work together founding ‘The Harley Staples Cancer Trust’ has allowed hundreds of families with children suffering from cancer to enjoy quality time together during a very difficult period in their lives. This is a truly remarkable way of honouring Harley’s memory and you should be very proud of the support you have provided to so many families.”
Sir Alan Duncan, MP for Rutland and Melton, said:
“I am delighted to hear that Katherine and Jamie’s noble efforts have been recognised. The support they have provided to so many families is truly inspirational and I am proud to call them my constituents.”
Katherine and Jamie Staples said:
“We are delighted to be receiving the Points of Light award on 31st October and receiving it a day before Harley’s anniversary is especially poignant for us. Our charity ‘The Harley Staples Cancer Trust’ is in memory of our son who was truly inspirational while he battled with his cancer and we feel the smallest thing that we can do to try and help put a smile on the faces of others in a similar situation is the least we can do.”