Richard Junior's Story
Richard Junior's family visited the Lodge in June 2025.
In April 2022, my son Richard Junior was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL), a serious and potentially life-threatening form of childhood cancer.
He was just 4 years old at the time. His treatment involved a combination of hospital-based chemotherapy and home therapy. It was a long and physically demanding process, with many unpleasant side effects. Our lives were completely turned upside down, but we gradually learned to adapt and live a new kind of normal.
Tragically, during Richard Junior’s treatment, my husband—his father—passed away unexpectedly. This loss has been absolutely devastating. Richard Jr lost his dad, and I became a single parent overnight.
Richard Junior has now completed his cancer treatment, and we are doing our best to rebuild our lives. Despite all the challenges we’ve faced, we continue to move forward.
Richard Jr is now back at school full-time and has joined a football team, which he absolutely loves. He trains at Richmond and Kew FC u7 as well as at The 7 Academy in Esher.
He is my bundle of joy—full of energy and excitement for life. The most positive boy I know, huge thank you to everyone at Bens foundation for this break