Brave Hugo, three, battling leukaemia is Langley's "superhero"

Date published: 04 October 2023

A community fundraiser for a brave little boy from Langley, Middleton who is fighting leukaemia, has raised more than £5,000 for his family.

Hugo Rowan Stafford was diagnosed with cancer in the summer, just nine days before he turned three, after suffering repeat illnesses and infections since February.

In April, his family took him to A&E as Hugo’s health wasn’t improving. After a few days at North Manchester General Hospital, he was transferred to the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital where he underwent lumbar punctures and numerous blood tests.

His grandmother, Kerry Rowan, explained: “He was discharged with antibiotics, and had to attend weekly and then fortnightly appointments.

“We took Hugo for a bone marrow aspiration on 18 July and made a follow-up appointment for a week later, but just two days later, his mum, Breeze, received a call asking her to take him in.

“The following morning on 21 July, we got the news that our Hugo had leukaemia.”

Hugo was allowed to go home as his family arranged for his third birthday party, which took place before he was admitted to hospital.

Kerry added: “We managed to get all of our family together and have a party before we took him in.

“Hugo’s mum was also taken into hospital in June this year with sepsis, and spent a week in intensive care when she was 23 weeks pregnant.”

Hugo's little brother, Ronnie, was born in mid-August at St Mary’s, just a short walk from where his brave sibling was undergoing cancer treatment.

“Ronnie spent the first few days in hospital with Hugo after he was born,” Kerry said. “Hugo spent four weeks in hospital and now he has to attend weekly appointments for treatment and take daily medication. He should have started nursery last month, but unfortunately this has had to be delayed.”

Hugo had his port fitted on 24 July and started treatment straight away. Kerry says Hugo will finish treatment in September 2026 after undergoing a 10-week course of chemotherapy through his port, plus an intense eight-week treatment.

She added: “Hopefully if things go to plan, he will go on to maintenance, but we won’t know that treatment until closer to the time.”

Since Hugo was diagnosed, the local community have pulled together with a series of fundraisers for Hugo’s young family: his mum, Breeze Rowan, is just 21, and his dad, Alex Stafford, is 23.

Georgina Jacques, of the Bowlee Community Association, raised over £500 after climbing Snowdon and hosting a coffee morning, whilst an online fund has raised over £5,200.

Kerry added: “Our community has been amazing with fundraisers. Once Hugo is feeling more himself, I would love to arrange a fun day fundraiser for him. He's our little superhero.”

Donations to support Hugo and his family can be made via GoFundMe:

• www.gofundme.com/f/hugos-journey-fighting-leukaemia