Brian Melville, the father of 11-year-old Charlie Melville who died from an aggressive brain tumour, has broken down in tears after securing charity status for an organisation set up to help cancer-stricken families in his son's memory. Charlie, from Tayport, passed away on March 2 after being diagnosed with Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG) last June. His parents, Brian and Rachel, were told their son had just months to live after he began showing balance problems while playing football.
Charity Born from Tragedy
The family has achieved charity status for 'Be More Charlie', an organisation aimed at supporting families whose children are battling cancer by easing financial and emotional burdens. Brian, 38, said the idea emerged almost immediately after Charlie's diagnosis. "Charlie got diagnosed on June 9, last year. From then, it's always been in our heads that we want Charlie's name to live on while helping others. That's where the idea for the charity came from because he was terminal. When Charlie passed away we used it to take our minds off everything and to give us something to focus on," he said.
The family applied for charitable status just three weeks ago before receiving the news on Tuesday, July 7. Brian admitted opening the email brought overwhelming emotion after months of grief. "When we got the news of being granted charity status, it was incredibly emotional. You're always hopeful you can make a difference but seeing that email was so emotional and there were a lot of tears. Especially after going through such a difficult time. It's the first time I've felt something like that since Charlie passed," he said.
Support for Families
During Charlie's illness, the family experienced first-hand how vital support from charities can be after Brian gave up work to care for his son. They received travel expenses, getaways, and other assistance to remove the burden of normal life and allow them to make lasting memories. "You go from having this healthy boy one day to being told he has months to live. You can't describe the toll it takes on you. These charities which support families make their last memories with their child are vital. Things like weekend breaks, overnight stays, hot meals and transport expenses can lift that burden off families and let them focus on their child in a time where it's vitally needed," Brian recalled.
The family spent months travelling between Dundee, Edinburgh and Glasgow while Charlie underwent radiotherapy at the Beatson, all while their three other children stayed with grandparents. Brian noted that every family's journey is different, which is why Be More Charlie hopes to provide flexible support tailored to whatever families need most, whether travel costs, meals, technology or accommodation. "Cancer turns your world upside down and it puts you in a place you could never imagine. Through all of these places, you see so many children battling cancer. The one thing my wife and I took from every one of them was their strength and courage. We are now looking at funding and grants to help provide relief for these families. If we can just help one in the worst moment in their life, it would mean the world to us and will all have been worth it," he said.
