Such a very sad story, I hope the family and friends of this courageous little boy find strength from everyone around them who has been touched by this story. May he rest in peace, and may they find peace also.
A FIVE-year-old boy with leukaemia, who won the hearts of all he met and was awarded a star award for his bravery, has lost his two-year battle with the disease.
Oliver Ladd, from Hawkeridge near Westbury, was born with Down's Syndrome and at the age of three-and-a-half was diagnosed with leukaemia.
His bravery was recognised last April when he won a Cancer Research UK Little Star Award after being nominated by Stepping Stones in Trowbridge, a pre-school group for children with special needs.
Oliver's mother Fiona Ladd, 41, spoke publicly for the first time about her loss and her family's bid to raise money and thank all the organisations and charities which helped Oliver during his life.
"I always knew he was a superstar and for somebody else to nominate and acknowledge his bravery and courage was fantastic," she said.
"He used to hold up his star award and point at himself. When he was on the TV he would point at himself as if to say that's me'."
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Oliver's family are determined to raise money for organisations that helped him, including the Bristol Royal Hospital for Children, the Royal United Hospital in Bath, Clic and Stepping Stones.
Oliver's two brothers Sam, 16 and Joe, 14, are planning to participate in charity runs and his former school teaching assistant Kelly Bradley is entering the Bristol Half Marathon on May 5 in his memory.
The family has already raised £800 from donations given at Oliver's funeral on January 31.
Oliver, who died on January 21, attended Stepping Stones pre-school from the age of seven months old.
Mrs Ladd said: "He loved Stepping Stones, it was like his second home. Stepping Stones are there for the parents as well as the children. They have a physio, occupational therapist and a sensory room. Even if you have financial problems they will help you. The support they give is absolutely fantastic."
After leaving Stepping Stones at four years old, Oliver became a pupil at Westbury Infants School, where his love for learning flourished.
Mrs Ladd said: "He was eager to go to school. He was so enthusiastic and the school fitted around his treatment.
"Quite often he would go in about 10.30am or 11am and his teacher would say Oh you've arrived then Oliver.' Nothing was too much trouble.
"When he arrived at school he would go into all the classroom to see what everyone was doing. He'd even go into the headmaster's office.
"Every child at the school knew Oliver. He had limited speech but he compensated with his facial expressions. He could communicate in other ways; all his classmates loved him. They will miss his presence."
Despite undergoing intensive treatment, Mrs Ladd said Oliver never let it get in the way of his enjoyment for life.
"He just got on with it," she said. "Even though the treatment was very intensive he still had a smile for you."
His grandmother Ann Booth added: "Considering he was ill he did an awful lot in those five years. He went to Disneyland Paris, Legoland, camping in Cornwall and had a trip to Scotland."
l If you want to help raise funds in memory of Oliver, contact the newsdesk on (01225) 773638.
Wilt Times
