Family and friends have paid tribute to a boy whose battle with cancer captured the community’s heart at a memorial service this morning.

Adam Bird, nine, from Epsom, died on July 11, despite receiving pioneering treatment for a rare and aggressive childhood cancer, neuroblastoma, which was diagnosed in July 2009.

His family launched Adam’s Appeal and the public donated £400,000 to fund the treatment he needed for his condition abroad because it was not available in the UK.

More than one hundred people attended a service held at St Luke’s Chapel, at Epsom College, in College Road, Epsom, to pay their respects and celebrate Adam’s life.

The service was led by The Reverend Canon Adrian Esdaile, who welcomed the congregation.

He said: "Life is very fragile for all of us.  We are not used to this and never can be."

He encouraged the congregation to celebrate Adam's "short life, beautifully and courageously lived".

At the service, Adam’s father, Nick, told the gathering he had been thinking for weeks about what to say and then realised "it is not everybody I should be speaking to, it is you".

Addressing his speech to Adam, he said: "I’m very proud of you son.

"Everyone has the right to a normal life.  Never had hate entered your heart.  You lived each day as best you could."

He added: "Things didn’t turn out like we thought they would but I know we always did the best we could.

"I had the privilege of being your dad. 

"Today you should take centre stage."

A photo montage by Mr Bird was then projected to the audience.

Adam’s sister, Jessica, also gave a reading, Our Brother... Forever, after which she received a round of applause.

The Heart and Soul Choir sung I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel To Be Free while hymns When A Knight Won His Spurs, The Lord of the Dance, and One More Step Along the World I Go were sung by the congregation.

After the service ended, Adam’s family proceeded to Randall’s Park, Leatherhead, for a family committal.

For those wishing to donate in Adam’s memory, visit http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/adamb. 

Cheques should be made payable to Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust and may be sent c/o W A Truelove & Son, 14-18 Church Road, Epsom, Surrey, KT17 4AB.

All money raised will be used to support the paediatric wards at Epsom Hospital and the dedicated team of homecare nurses who operate from there.

 

MORE EPSOM NEWS