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15
Nov 2020
Charity Corner: research in memory of 'brave and funny' Frank
Frank's Fund is a Harrogate-based charity set up by the Ashton family after their son Frank died from a rare form of bone cancer last year.
Frank Ashton was a "brave, funny, kind and positive" young man who loved playing sports and going to Nando's with friends.
He lived in Harrogate with his family and beloved dog Barney and attended St Aidan's high school.
But in May 2016 the family's world changed when Frank was diagnosed with Ewing Sarcoma. Frank went through relentless rounds of chemotherapy, all the time staying positive.
By May 2017, Frank's tumour had been removed during an eight hour operation and he had gone through 12 months of chemotherapy - he was in remission.
Only five months later, in September 2017, the cancer came back. This was just before Frank's 13th birthday. Louise Ashton, Frank's mum, said:
Over the next year Frank continued to remain positive and see his friends but in January 2019 his health was failing fast and Frank died a month later, aged 14.
Louise added:
Frank's Fund was set up to raise funds to go to dedicated cancer research. Primary bone cancer received just 0.028% of funding from major UK cancer charities in 2018/2019. The treatment and survival rates of this cancer haven't improved in over 30 years.
To donate to the fund click here.
Louise said:
The family are determined to raise as much as they can to follow Frank's wishes to prevent children suffering as he did.
This year several of their fundraising events have been cancelled but they are continuing to fundraise with a virtual comedy night on December 11 and selling Christmas cards, follow the charity on Facebook to see updates.
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