Boy from Grimsargh youngest to take on Rosemere’s Cross Bay Walk for his ‘beloved’ grandad

Louise, Noah and Rachel at the Cross Bay Walk for Rosemere

An eight-year-old boy from Grimsargh was one of the youngest to take on this year’s Rosemere Cancer Foundation Cross Bay Walk, which raised almost £11,000 for the charity.

Noah, a cub at the 1st Longridge Scouts, contributed £235 walking alongside his mum and aunt who both work at the Royal Preston Hospital.

They were joined by 300 others in the annual trek from Arnside to Grange, led by King’s Guide to the Sands, Michael Wilson.

Noah Hirst with Grandad Les. Pic: Rosemere Cancer Foundation

Noah walked in thanks for the life-saving treatment his ‘beloved’ grandad Les received at Rosemere’s Cancer Centre.

Les Knowles of Grimsargh has just rung the end of treatment bell after being diagnosed with blood cancer in 2021.

Noah’s mum Louise said: “We are a tight knit family and we were completely heartbroken hearing the news of dad’s diagnosis, which came after he was taken into hospital in October 2021 with a severe chest infection.

“Dad started chemo in December 2021. His final session was in June and he is now in remission.

“He and Noah have a very close bond. They go walking and camping together. Noah loves his grandad more than anything in the world so to do the Cross Bay Walk meant a lot to him, knowing he was making a difference not just for grandad but for others who have been affected in the way we have.”

Hundreds cross the bay for Rosemere's Cross Bay walk for cancer. — Hundreds cross the bay for Rosemere’s Cross Bay walk for cancer.

Louise, who is married to Sean and also a mum to one-year-old Nancy added: added: “On behalf of my dad, mum Janet, who is also a healthcare assistant at the Royal Preston, and all of us, we just wanted to say thank you to Rosemere and Ribblesdale Ward for taking such good care of him.

“It has been a scary, worrying time but the staff made it more manageable for us. They made us feel there was light at the end of the tunnel even in the darkest times.”

The money raised will be spent on projects to help those in treatment at Rosemere Cancer Centre, the region’s specialist cancer treatment and radiotherapy centre at the Royal Preston Hospital.

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