Sick children given inspiration by teen Tyler

Now his project, Tyler’s Trust, which hands 
out special gift boxes to children with life-threatening illnesses, is about to become an official registered charity.

The 17-year-old’s latest venture has seen him visit schools to give talks about his on-going illness and launch a competition for pupils to design bandanas.

Tyler, from Barnham, said: “It’s one of the things we put in our boxes for the children who lose their hair, and we thought who better to design the bandanas than children.”

As well as the bandanas, the other items regularly found in the gift boxes are teddies, a journal, balloons, an MP4 player and a voucher.

Tyler, a former student at St Philip Howard Catholic High School, said: “We also try to give them specific things they like.

“Anything from Power Ranger toys, we’ve dressed up as Ben 10 and we’ve also arranged for the fire service to spend a day with a child who wanted to be a fireman.”

Having been diagnosed with a brain tumour back in 2010, inspirational Tyler has spent many months at St Richard’s and Southampton hospitals.

He has undergone 14 operations – the last two in November – and has had extensive chemotherapy.

“I have never once heard him moan or grumble and for someone so young this is quite incredible,” said proud mum Janice, a major part of Tyler’s Trust.

“Last year, we found out his tumour had grown so it is very much an on-going thing for Tyler and he just wants to help others like him.”

As well as covering the Chichester and Worthing area, Tyler’s Trust also now helps children and their families across Portsmouth and the Isle of Wight.

So far, it has handed out more than 30 boxes and, as well as handing gifts to the siblings of sick children, it has recently started providing the hospitals with emergency overnight bags for the whole family.

For those who want to find out how the trust can help, contact Janice on 01243 553280 or 07738 007334, or 
email [email protected] or find Tyler’s Trust on Facebook or Twitter.