GEMMA HOLLAND & MATTHEW MULLINS
Gemma Holland, Matthew Mullins and their families were all strangers until they met in September 1996 at london's St.Bart's hospital in the Kenton ward.
Gemma lost her battle in May 1997 aged 12 after being diagnosed in September 1996. Matthew lost his battle in September 2003, aged 17 after being diagnosed at the age of 3.
This day is a continued 'promise' that Duncan made to Gemma whilst she was in hospital receiving her treatment, with all proceeds going to Leukaemia Research Fund Charity.
To this day the 'promise' continues, with the total raised since April 1998 passing £95,250.
It all started with a charity football day at Grays FC, with teams from Jess Conrad showbiz XI, Tottenham Hotspur XI and local friends who had supported the family. Since then we have held 2 it's a knockout days, disco's and other little events until 2001, when Phil (matthews father) suggested we did something different on an annual basis.
2001 saw the launch of the 1st ever Leukaemia Research Fund Charity golf day.
Since then after Matthew's passing in 2003, we renamed the day in the children's memory as the 'Gemma Holland and Matthew Mullins Leukaemia Research Fund Charity golf day'.
The families are regular fundraisers for the local hospital at Southend, where an annual walk is held for the Elizabeth Lowry ward (which is the local cancer unit). This was because every time Gemma and Matthew required treatment they had to endure a 100 mile plus journey which took over 2 hours and we wanted to support the local NHS hospital.
My aim is that if l make a £1 and people are aware of this life threatening disease then l have achieved on my goal, which is to raise money for the Leukaemia Research Fund Charity.
As you will find out within this website via the information relating to Leukaemia there are many types. Gemma & Matthew had different types of this life threatening disease.
Both children had to endure bone marrow transplant operations whilst they were receiving their treatment. If you wish to be a bone marrow donor you can do so by enlisting on the Anthony Nolan Bone Marrow Trust. For more details see website links.
In addition to the above funds, Duncan has also raised a further £6,000 for the nearby Southend NHS hospital, where an annual walk has taken place in the last couple of years. Proceeds from this went to the Elizabeth Lowry Ward which deals with patients that receive treatment for various cancers in the body.
Duncan Holland.