Planning good out of a devastating tragedy (From The Oxford Times)
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Planning good out of a devastating tragedy
7:00am Saturday 19th May 2012 in Abingdon
By Amanda Williams
ames Phillpott with wife Fleur and daughters Daisy, left, and Amber, pictured in 2010
DESPITE her short life, little Amber Phillpott has left a huge impression.
The little girl, from Abingdon, was just 18 months old when she died after contracting Acute Myelogenous Leukaemia (AML) early last year.
The story of her brave battle has since inspired more than £50,000 in fundraising efforts, from charity runs, donations, and festivals.
Now her parents Fleur Tinson and James Phillpott, who have set up the Ampber Phillpott Trust, hope her name will help fund a cure for the disease.
Mr Phillpott said: “The money has bought state-of-the-art equipment for a leukaemia study at Oxford University.
“It is really important for me and for Fleur that we continue to raise the profile of AML.
“There are only around 80 children who are diagnosed with AML each year. But we hope to one day help find a cure.”
Amber was diagnosed with the blood cell cancer in October 2010 and had looked set to make a full recovery.
But just months later, on March 5, 2011, she died in the arms of her parents.
Mr Phillpott set up Abingdon’s annual Yeah Baby! festival three years ago to raise money for the Oxford Children’s hospital (Chox) after a friend’s son received life saving care there.
But months later he was forced to call on the hospital’s expertise to help his seriously-ill daughter.
This year’s festival on July 14 will be held in her name.
Mr Phillpott said: “This year Yeah Baby! will be supporting Chox, Ronald McDonald House, Helen & Douglas House, which helped Amber directly, and the Amber Phillpott Trust.
“The council has extended our licence from 5pm to 9pm and we will have live music all the way through from 11am to 9pm as well as the usual stalls, raffle and silent auction. This year we also have a licensed bar for the first time sponsored by Loose Cannon Brewery.
“All of the work we are doing to keep going and keep fundraising is helping to keep Amber close to us, and to make her short life meaningful.”
To donate to the causes set up in Amber’s name go to virginmoneygiving.com, and amberphillpott.com. To find out more about the Yeah Baby! festival go to yeah-baby.co.uk
