A young patient currently being treated at Birmingham Children’s Hospital for an aggressive brain tumour is the inspiration behind a one-off variety performance being held at the New Alexandra Theatre on Sunday 26 June. Two-year-old Fergus Scholefield, whose doctor dad works at the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit at Birmingham Children’s Hospital, was diagnosed with a rare form of brain cancer at the end of last year.
Dr Barney Scholefield took his son into his place of work after his youngest child began suffering with severe headaches and vomiting. Together he and his colleagues discovered a large tumour at the base of Fergus’ brain which required emergency surgery.
Fergus, who has now had six rounds of chemotherapy, has been a permanent resident on the hospital’s Oncology Ward, Ward 15, for the last seven months.
Shattered by the diagnosis, Fergus’ older sisters and brother, Beatrice, Chester and Agnes, have galvanised their own friends and support networks to help them raise funds to say thank you to the children’s hospital for caring for their brother.
Eight-year-old Beatrice, a student at Birmingham’s School of Theatre Excellence, has been so brave since her brother’s diagnosis that directors at the school wanted to show their support by holding a variety performance to raise funds for the hospital in true theatrical style.
The event, organised by the school’s director, Chris Sheils, will see a whole host of stars join Beatrice at the unique event on Sunday 26 June at 7.15pm. Tickets start from just £19.15 per person.
Hosted by Sally Bankes, who appeared in Coronation Street, the show’s headliners include Marti Webb, well-known for her starring roles in West End Musicals such as Evita and Tell Me on a Sunday, and local comedian Barbara Nice (Janice Connolly).
Joining them are Comedian Steve Day, West End performer Chris Howard as well as performances from School of Theatre Excellence supported by Birmingham Community Gospel Choir, Phoenix Dance Company, CircusMASH, Bollywood Dreams Dance and Richardz Dance.
Chris Sheils said: “When I heard what Beatrice and her family were going through I just knew that we had to put on a show to raise money and show our support.
“Beatrice will play a very special part in the show, so that she feels hugely involved in the raising of funds for this special cause.”
All profits from the event will go towards supporting the wonderful work of the children’s hospital, in particular its Oncology Ward and dad Barney’s own place of work, the Intensive Care Unit.
Miranda Williams, Public Fundraising Manager at Birmingham Children’s Hospital Charity said: “It is always so heart-warming to hear that the care and treatment our hospital delivers everyday inspires others to fundraise.
“We are incredibly grateful to Beatrice and Birmingham’s School of Theatre Excellence for putting on this exciting variety performance. The money they hope to raise will make a real difference to lives of the children and families treated on our Oncology Ward and Paediatric Intensive Care Unit.”
