Member Article

LCF law helps to show will the way

A new Yorkshire based charity has been set up to provide grants to brain tumour patients and their families, in the name of a 16 year old rugby league fan who is determined to continue living life to the full, despite recently being diagnosed with a tumour. Will’s Way has been set up, with the support of leading Yorkshire law firm LCF Law and rugby league legend Jamie Peacock, by the family and friends of Will Barker from Stanningley, who was diagnosed with a left Cerebellar Diffused Astrocytoma Grade 2 brain tumour in September 2016. Will is a huge rugby league fan and player at Stanningley Rugby Club. Will’s mum Lisa Barker says: “Hearing the diagnosis turned our world upside down, but what was so heart breaking, was that Will totally understood what the doctors were saying, and what the diagnosis meant. The other difficult thing to manage, was that Will was feeling well in himself and all of the suggested treatments and operations to treat the tumour would make him very ill.
“We have therefore decided to take a watch and wait approach that will hopefully let Will lead as normal a life as possible, with regular scans taking place to keep a close eye on things. He will also be monitored for any change in his health, until the day arrives that we are all dreading, and he has to go in for the operation and start treatment.” Following Will’s diagnosis his friends and family wanted to raise money in his name to highlight his bravery and the strong positive attitude that he has displayed. His mum adds: “He’s been amazing, he’s only 16 years old, yet he has faced this diagnosis so well and has even been able to return to playing rugby at this stage. “He got over the biopsy and is now living life to the full, despite having a brain tumour. We can’t express how proud we are of him. Hopefully we can raise lots of money to help other families going through the similar things.” One of the Trustees is Jamie Peacock, the former Great Britain, England and Leeds Rhinos Captain. The other trustees are Lyndsey Gibbins, Neil Gibbins, Dave Spence and Sue Spence. Jamie says: “Will is an inspiration to everybody who knows him, and this is why the charity bears his name. Will’s Way has attracted plenty of support within the sport and several rugby league players make the “W” sign either when being interviewed on Sky or after scoring tries. I wanted to get involved with Will and the charity because I know his parents and felt it was really important to support the family.” Partner at LCF Law, Neil Shaw, says: “We helped the group of trustees to achieve registered charity status with the Charity Commission, which will allow them to register for gift aid, and also enables the charity to be recognised as a body that is controlled by an official organisation.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Emma Mortimer .