Schoolboy Ben wins E&S Local Hero title
Brave Walsall schoolboy Ben Sambrook, who battled back from a brain tumour and has now inspired fundraising to help others, was today named the latest Express & Star Local Hero.
The 10-year-old Cooper and Jordan School pupil fought off a grade four malignant tumour. He was first diagnosed two years ago.
The experience led his mother Sharon to launch the Ben Sambrook Trust, which now stands at £63,000. Ben, from Aldridge, has been given the all-clear, although still returns to Birmingham Children's Hospital for check-ups on a regular basis.
He was presented with his award at school and has been invited along with his parents Sharon and Steven as well as younger sister Emily to Molineux on December 7 for an award-winners' meal, attended by Wolves players and other celebrities.
Sharon said: "We are very proud of Ben and to receive this award is special. He is really well now, doing all things 10-year-olds do, playing football and going out on his bike with friends. The Trust has also taken off beyond all of our expectations."
Local Heroes, now in its sixth year, is jointly organised by the Express & Star, Wolves and Birmingham Midshires.
Ben said: "I'm really chuffed with the award. I'm looking forward to going to Molineux even though I'm a Birmingham City fan."
Just this week the Trust has received £1,300 from Thomson Airways, which announced in April it was to support the charity with a percentage of all donations. Ben's school has also launched its own mobile phone recycling initiative.
The money from the Trust specifically funds research projects to improve diagnosis and treatment off high grade glioma.
