Five-year-old diagnosed with leukaemia set to raise funds for south Essex hospice
A FIVE-year-old boy who has been supported by Little Havens Hospice since been diagnosed with leukaemia is taking part in a charity challenge as a thank you.
Dexter Clarke-Duggan was diagnosed with B-Cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in May 2023 just after his third birthday.
During the early stages of his treatment, he struggled with trauma, anxiety and a loss of trust in others, caused by his medical procedures.
Since then, he has been supported by Little Havens Hospice, in Thundersley, and the support has become a lifeline for him and his family.
Now, he will be taking on the challenge of walking on Lego as part of a fundraiser on April 12 in Chelmsford.
His mother Aimee, who is supporting him with his Lego Walk challenge, said: 'He stopped walking, he would barely talk, and he hid in his pushchair with his arm covering his face. But when he was referred to Little Havens for play therapy, things started to change.
'By the end of his sessions, Dexter was back to his cheeky, funny, energetic self, running around the hospice full of confidence.'
Excited - Dexter Clarke-Duggan (Image: Havens hospices)
The specialist care Dexter received at Little Havens didn't stop there. After completing his therapy, he continued attending weekly stay and play sessions, which he still looks forward to during school holidays.
Aimee said, 'Dexter loves Little Havens, and he loves Lego, so it seemed like a perfect match. He was so excited about the idea of raising money for his friends at Little Havens.'
For Dexter's family, Little Havens has provided not only vital care but also a sense of community and emotional support during one of the most difficult times of their lives.
Aimee added: 'At the very start of Dexter's journey, it was a safe place to go when he was too poorly to be in normal places with other children. Over time, it became a haven for both of us. Meeting other families facing similar struggles has made such a difference. Little Havens has helped me feel less alone and given me a network of people who understand what we're going through.
'Dexter loves everyone at Little Havens. It's the place he feels most himself. I'm so grateful for the incredibly kind, caring and passionate staff there who make him feel safe and happy. I honestly don't know where we would be without them. I love the feeling when we walk through the doors, and I don't have to worry about anything as I know he is safe and happy.'
To support Dexter with a donation, visit www.justgiving.com/page/aimee-clarke-2
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- Yahoo
New method provides key to accessing proteins in ancient human remains
A new method developed by researchers at the University of Oxford could provide the key to accessing proteins in ancient human remains. The technique, created by scientists at the Nuffield Department of Medicine, offers a breakthrough in extracting and identifying proteins from preserved soft tissues such as brain, muscle, and skin - sources of biological information that have long remained out of reach. Alexandra Morton-Hayward, a postgraduate researcher who led the study, said: "Until now, studies on ancient proteins have been confined largely to mineralised tissues such as bones and teeth. "But the internal organs - which are a far richer source of biological information - have remained a 'black box' because no established protocol existed for their analysis. Our method changes that." The team tested 10 different extraction techniques on 200-year-old human brain tissue collected from a Victorian workhouse cemetery. Authors of the study (L-R), Dr Sarah Flannery, Alexandra Morton-Hayward, Professor Roman Fischer, and Dr Iolanda Vendrell (Image: Roman Fischer) They found urea, a major component of urine, was able to break down cells and release proteins. The extracted proteins were then separated and identified using liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry. By also using high-field asymmetric waveform ion mobility spectrometry - which separates ions by their movement in an electric field - the researchers increased the number of proteins identified by up to 40 per cent. Ms Morton-Hayward said: "It all comes down to separation: by adding additional steps, you are more likely to confidently identify molecules of interest. "It is a bit like dumping out a bucket of Lego: if you can start to discriminate between pieces by colour, then shape, then size, etc the better chance you have of making something meaningful with it all." Using the full process, the team identified more than 1,200 ancient proteins from just 2.5mg of brain tissue. This is the most diverse set of proteins ever recovered from archaeological material. The researchers believe the method could transform scientists' understanding of health and disease in past populations. Professor Roman Fischer, senior author and researcher at the Centre for Medicines Discovery, said: "By enabling the retrieval of protein biomarkers from ancient soft tissues, this workflow allows us to investigate pathology beyond the skeleton, transforming our ability to understand the health of past populations." Proteins outlast DNA in archaeological remains and reveal more about a person's life and health than genetic material alone. Dr Christiana Scheib, from the University of Cambridge, who was not involved in the study, said: "It is key to first develop the best way to obtain relevant information from these materials, which is what this study does. "This type of fundamental experimental work is crucial for the field to move forward."
Yahoo
01-06-2025
- Yahoo
Storm Team 3: Nice Start to the Week, Hurricane Season is Officially Underway, Rain Chances Return Mid-Week
Nice Weather in the Short-Term Pleasant weather will continue tonight with temperatures in the 60s for your Monday morning. Skies will clear out overnight. Calm winds give way to a light southeasterly breeze by the afternoon. High temperatures will reach the upper 80s and lower 90s under a few clouds from time to time. Changes Ahead Warmth and humidity increase gradually through the week ahead of a stalling frontal boundary. Between that and a developing disturbance over Florida, rain chances will return by midweek. Some uncertainty remains on if a low pressure develops and where it tracks. This will help determine coverage of rainfall and specific timing. Either way, daily storm chances are back beginning Wednesday for the Coastal Empire and Lowcountry. Morning low temperatures gradually moderate to the lower-70s while afternoons will reach the upper 80s to lower 90s. Heat index values will reach into the low-100s. Hurricane Season Has Begun The 2025 Atlantic Hurricane Season is underway. The list of names this year is recycled from 2019 with the only new addition being Dexter, in place of Dorian. Dorian was retired due to the devastating impact on The Bahamas. Typical areas to watch for development in June are close to home, in the Caribbean Sea, Gulf, and far-western Atlantic Ocean. June, especially in recent memory, typically sees short-lived, weaker activity. By July, the Caribbean usually becomes too hostile to sustain tropical systems. The bulk of the season's activity occurs between August 15 and October 15, so remember that we have a long way to go! Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
01-06-2025
- Yahoo
A beginner's guide to preparing for the 2025 hurricane season
Watch special hurricane season coverage from FOX Weather, your Hurricane HQ, starting Sunday at noon. Tune in Monday to get your hurricane questions answered by FOX Weather Hurricane Specialist Bryan Norcross. You can catch it all on your favorite streaming platform or in the FOX Weather app. NEW YORK – The Atlantic hurricane season has started, so now is the time to consider how best to prepare for wicked weather if it were to come your way. Andrea, Barry, Chantal, Dexter and Erin are some of the first named storms of the 2025 Atlantic season. Understanding the risks of hurricanes and how to prepare yourself best is essential, especially if things don't go as planned. Click here for the remaining 2025 hurricane names with pronunciations. A good rule of thumb for a hurricane is that the right side of the storm is the most dangerous part of the hurricane. Usually, the right-front quadrant of a storm in the Northern Hemisphere carries higher winds, waves and storm surge, according to the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research. Tropical cyclones often produce widespread torrential rainfall far from the most damaging winds. This means inland flooding can sometimes be seen hundreds of miles from the coast. Why Is The Right Side Of A Hurricane More Dangerous? Preparing a hurricane emergency kit is an excellent way to take matters into your own hands. The National Weather Service recommends using a backpack or storage tub to hold your supplies. It should have enough supplies to last for at least three days. Essential supplies you should consider packing are at least a gallon of water per person per day, canned food, cash, and official documents such as an ID. What To Put In An Emergency Kit Hurricane season, which in the Atlantic Ocean runs from June 1 to Nov. 30, often brings with it a slew of scientific terms. Here is a glossary of some words you might hear during FOX Weather's hurricane coverage and what they mean. These definitions come from a mix of FOX Weather's meteorologists, the National Hurricane Center, and the National Weather Service. Buzzwords You'll Be Hearing During Hurricane Season Noaa advises keeping a safe distance from flooded or damaged areas. Getting to high ground away from water and flood-prone areas is also essential. Knowing what to do during severe weather can save your life and the lives of others. If you're being told to evacuate, you should heed those warnings and stay safe. If you opt to stay home during the storm, here are some hurricane safety tips to help you weather it. Learn How To Survive A Hurricane If You Didn't Evacuate After a hurricane passes, returning to the disaster area or venturing outdoors can pose a unique set of dangers and challenges, but there are things you can do to stay safe. Your local officials will be key in providing information like when it's safe to return home and what areas to avoid. What To Do After A Hurricane Understanding the threat in your local area and remaining weather-aware is significant. According to the NWS, 78 deaths resulted from hurricanes in article source: A beginner's guide to preparing for the 2025 hurricane season
