Firefighters help brave Stanley in his cancer battle

Six-year-old Stanley Batten was diagnosed with a brain tumour in December last year and is currently undergoing chemotherapy.

Firefighters from Essex County Fire and Rescue Service heard about Stanley through a friend of his family and wanted to put a smile on his face.

Watch Manager at Harlow Fire Station, John Warmann, said: “Stanley is a very brave little boy, showing great spirit and strength in his cancer battle.

“He’s been in and out of hospital and, as a station, we are trying to give him a break from his day-to-day struggles.”

Green Watch firefighters took a Fire Engine to Stanley’s home, in Harlow, on Saturday 5 February; they presented him with two fire helmets and even let him have a go with the hose reel!

Stanley’s mum, Kirsty, said: “It was amazing watching him not thinking about cancer or medication. It was almost as if he became a child again and forgot everything that is going on.

“It was a massive weight off his shoulders - his worries had been washed away for an afternoon. The firefighters really did go above and beyond and it meant the world to us.”

Red Watch plan to invite Stanley to the station soon and firefighters are also organising a charity car wash in the coming months to raise money for Stanley’s treatment.

Stanley started getting headaches in September last year and, in December, doctors discovered he had a brain tumour.

He has undergone tests, operations and treatment, including ongoing chemotherapy. Stanley’s parents, Kirsty Bramble and Gareth Batten, and the rest of his family and friends are trying to raise money for proton therapy, which will mean staying in Manchester or Germany.

If you would like to make a donation towards Stanley’s treatment, visit his gofundme page.