St Albans mother urging everyone to get looming to fulfil young boy’s dying wish

Five-year-old Skye Hall died in August last year from complications of his treatment for medulloblastoma, an aggressive and cancerous brain tumour.

Before Skye died he launched a ‘Loom to the Moon’ fundraising campaign to break the Guinness Book of World Records for the longest loom band - inspired by his favourite past time whilst sitting in the Hyperbaric Oxygen Chamber for hours each week, looming.

Sadly, Skye didn’t live to see his wish fulfilled but his little brother Jesse, aged three, is determined to continue his mission and finish this record-breaking attempt with the help of children and adults from across the UK.

More than 350 children a year in the UK alone, face the devastating news that they have a brain tumour but less than one per cent of cancer funding goes towards research into brain tumours, the number one cancer killer in children and teenagers.

Jo Dowding, 43, from Gresford Close, said: “I read about Loom to the Moon and I thought, like many mums, was how quickly Skye's life had changed and how much we all take each other and our health for granted.

“No one has any idea of what is round the corner and when I first read about his prognosis and treatment, I immediately felt compelled to help. It could be me.”

The mother-of-two added: “Loom bands had hit our house big time, so what better way to help, using the current craze to help a kid in need.

“We talked a lot about Skye, looked at all the photos of him in hospital and how he was dealing with his life, and decided that we would help. We were devastated to hear about Skye's death.”

Charlie and Ruby Dowding loom for Skye

Skye’s family will be taking a road trip this UK stopping at different cities to spread the word.

Skye’s mum, Sally, 36, said: “From the moment that Skye was diagnosed, we were told never to give up hope, as new and better treatments were being found through research every day.

We now understand though, that this lifesaving research is funded primarily from public donations in response to appeals like ours.

“The people of Hertfordshire have already been very generous in showing their support with ‘loomers’ from across the region taking part in the campaign.

“Between us we have reached a distance of 25,693m of looms but we need to keep looming as new attempts are coming in all the time, so we want to be able to hold the record for as long as possible.

“Loom to the Moon is coming to an end this May so this road trip really is the final push for us to make our little boy’s last wish come true.”

To take part, click here.