Meet Tommy 

6-year-old Tommy is a bright young boy who absolutely loves boxing and being active. But that unfortunately hasn’t always been the case. When he was four, Tommy began to have symptoms which his family and doctors initially associated with low iron.  

“He was tired all the time, and we struggled to get him out of bed,” explains his mum, Lucy. “He also had bruising up and down his spine, and on his feet.” 

Eventually, Tommy would be diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.  

“From that moment on, life just turned upside down – we were going through the motions, and everything was happening so quickly,” recalls Lucy.  

“The first four weeks were the most intense,” she says. “The nurses had to prepare me: Tommy was obviously already sick, but they explained the treatment would make him even more poorly, even though it was helping him.”  

Tommy lost his hair, eyebrows and eyelashes, and was bedbound most of the time. Doctors told Lucy he would not be able to walk during his treatment due to muscle wastage. But defiant to hold on to this one piece of independence, Lucy says Tommy “refused to lose his ability to walk,” and tried to get around by himself whenever he could. 

“That was one of the hardest parts – seeing my little boy fight against his own body, trying to drag himself up the stairs while being so tired and sick, just to do something that was once normal for him.” 

Why he chose his wish 

After his gruelling initial treatment, Tommy was put on a less intensive regimen. With this, Tommy wanted to find a way to feel stronger and more like himself again – and this led his family to boxing.  

“My partner Daryl is a keen boxer and has always spoken about not just its physical benefits, but it’s mental ones too,” Lucy explains. Approaching Daryl’s gym, she explained Tommy’s situation and soon they had him in a class.  

“Something changed in him instantly once he started boxing. He was still very ill and had his hair loss, but he was also focused, confident and happy,” she explains.  

Tommy was a natural with boxing, and it provided him with a sense of normalcy throughout his cancer treatment. Lucy says Tommy would often defy their expectations, wanting to go to his boxing classes even after a lumbar puncture or receiving chemotherapy.  

“We just couldn’t stop him!” Lucy says.  

When Tommy began feeling better, his family were introduced to Rays of Sunshine. When Tommy was told he could have a wish, there was no doubt it would involve his favourite sport. Eventually, Tommy had his wish settled: to meet a professional boxer.  

Rays of Sunshine had the perfect one in mind.  

The day itself 

On the day of his wish, Tommy’s family travelled to Holmes Chapel Boxing Club for a very special boxing session with the one and only Tommy Fury.  

‘Little’ Tommy had been ecstatic to meet the champion boxer and had spent many days before the wish watching his old fights with his family.  

“We were instantly put at ease with ‘Big’ Tommy,” explains Lucy. “He was so warm and excited to meet our little boy.”  

After introductions, ‘Big’ Tommy took Tommy through some boxing exercises using pads and a punching bag. He was instantly impressed by the six-year-old talent! 

“He was so complimentary to Tommy – and I know my son felt about ten feet tall knowing that a real-life professional boxer believed in him like that. It was so special for us.”  

Tommy and Tommy spent two hours going through different drills, with ‘Little’ Tommy impressing his coach each time. But even after a good workout and some special signed gifts from the boxer, Tommy’s wish was far from over.  

Eager to treat Tommy and his family like the VIPs they are, Tommy Fury invited them to the red-carpet premiere of his documentary, which was taking place the next day.  

Tommy and his family were able to experience a red-carpet with Tommy Fury, posing for pictures and watching the different celebrities supporting the documentary. Lucy says it was an incredible moment for the whole family.  

“It was a moment where I just had to stop and wonder. I asked myself how we’d managed to go from Tommy being so ill, to being so full of life and doing such exciting things – but of course, the answer was Tommy, and the fact he has been so brave throughout his journey,” she explains. 

Among the celebrities, Tommy even got to meet John Fury – ‘Big’ Tommy’s and his legendary boxer brother Tyson’s father.  

“John Fury even mentioned to Tommy that his son had shown him videos from their sparring session the day before, and that Tommy needed to keep up the good work,” Lucy recalls. “I felt emotional in that moment, because here was a world-renowned boxing coach telling my son he was talented at the sport that has brought such joy to his life.”  

The impact of Tommy’s wish 

In the time since Tommy’s wish, Lucy says she has seen a different in her little boy. He is focused, and more passionate about his sport than ever before.  

“It’s given him the boost he needed to see that he’s not just good at boxing for a boy who has been through cancer – he’s good at boxing full stop,” explains Lucy.  

On top of this, she says the wish has given Tommy something completely new to focus and tell people on.  

“I’m very passionate about raising awareness for childhood cancer and breaking the stereotypes people have in their minds about what it looks like,” she says. “It’s so much more than poorly looking children with hair loss. 

“Tommy being able to have his wish with Tommy Fury and highlighting his boxing skills – this helps to break the assumptions for what young cancer survivors can and can’t do.  

“Hopefully it might inspire another young child, who is at the beginning of their treatment and wondering if they’ll ever feel well again, to believe that recovery is full of possibilities. 

“I will always be grateful to Rays of Sunshine for the impact Tommy’s wish has had on him, and for allowing us to hopefully inspire others too.”