An incredible £200,000 has been raised by The Ben Saunders Foundation since its creation in August 2020, and as the charity marks the first anniversary of its founder’s death, alongside the lasting grief, there is so much to be proud of.
Ben Saunders was in Year 13 at Saint Gregory’s school and a talented sportsman who played football for Bath City and also for Somerset County team. Then in October 2019, Ben and his family discovered the terrible news that he had a rare form of cancer (sarcoma) attached to his heart.
Ben founded The Ben Saunders Foundation in August 2020 after being inspired by a trip that had paid for him and his friends to enjoy a visit to Centerparcs Longleat. As his father Thomas recalls, “Despite being incredibly poorly, his only thought was to think of others.” Tragically, just five weeks after that visit to Longleat, Ben lost his battle with cancer.
Despite their grief, his family is now carrying on Ben’s work with the foundation, with it becoming fully registered in October 2020 and thanks to so many different fundraisers has now raised an incredible £200,000. The foundation has purchased a holiday lodge in the Cotswold near Cirencester and over 17 families with a child with cancer have already benefited from a holiday there.
As one of its principle fundraising initiatives, the Foundation runs a 200 club every month which costs £5 to enter. In July over 230 people took part, raising in excess of £1,100, of which 50% is paid out in prize money.
In addition, local schools and groups have also shown their support, including Saint Gregory’s which recently held a mufti day, raising almost £1,500; Country Garden Day Nursery In Dunkerton which has run three different events and raised an incredible £1,497; a group of childminders from Bath and some of their friends took part in the 10 for Ben in the Brecon Beacons and raised almost £5,000; and Oldfield Park Junior School, which created a sportsman of the year award known as the Ben Saunders Memorial Cup for Sporting Achievement.
Many professional sports people have supported the foundation from Bath Rugby, Somerset Cricket, England ladies cricket and many professional footballers.
Ben’s dad, Tom, who is now the Chairman of the foundation said, “Nothing will ever come close to having Ben in our lives, he was a beautiful boy with the whole world in front of him. There is not a single second where we do not miss him but it is our job now to ensure that he is never forgotten.
“As a family, we are taken aback by the support that we have received especially in the Bath area and from Ben’s previous schools. We are so proud of him that his last wish was to think of others and not himself. He is an inspiration to all of us and I know the support we have given to families has been very welcomed by everyone who has stayed at his retreat.
The next step for the Trustee’s of the Foundation is to complete the purchase of a second lodge, which will be offered to bereaved parents and siblings. “Cancer is absolutely horrific and we need to do whatever we can to support families going through this terrible time,” added Tom.
“Ben never wanted to be forgotten and the way people have supported us in and around the Bath area will make this possible. The foundation has 160 people registered to run the Bath Half Marathon in March and anyone wishing to join the 200 club or run the marathon will always be welcomed.”
For more information on the work carried out by the foundation, visit www.bensaundersfoundation.org