Youngster wants other kids to '˜live life to the Max'

Max Pearce with Abby and Josephine Thomson and Lin Wilson  Picture: Keith WoodlandMax Pearce with Abby and Josephine Thomson and Lin Wilson  Picture: Keith Woodland
Max Pearce with Abby and Josephine Thomson and Lin Wilson Picture: Keith Woodland
A BOY who has had numerous brain operations to fight against a rare illness says he won't be slowing down any time soon.

Max Pearce, an 11-year-old from Gosport, suffers from High Grade Glioblastoma Multiforme – an aggressive form of brain cancer.

He has undergone seven operations, four of which have been on his brain.

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Before Christmas last year, Max was confined to a wheelchair and family members say he was at a ‘real low point’.

But now Max is up and about, has gone back to school and is more determined than ever to push on with his life.

He said: ‘It was hard – I had around seven operations in total.

‘There are still a few things I can’t do; I can’t go out with friends on my own, but my mum comes along with me.

‘But I can still do things like playing football with them.

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‘The biggest thing for me was getting back to school. I love going to school and really missed it when I was ill.

‘I go to Bay House and it’s great there. I remember after one of the operations I was confused because I didn’t know how to get to school from the hospital.’

Max and his family now want to help other young people suffering from a life-long illness.

The Living to the Max Trust has been set up to help families to enjoy quality time together, make dreams come true, and create special memories for families.

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Already, the charity has raised thousands of pounds through events like the recent head shave at Bay House School.

Max said: ‘I shaved the heads of six teachers, including my form tutor, so that was good fun.

‘I want to do as many different things as I can now.’

Max’s aunt, Abby Thompson, says that the Living to the Max Trust is a great opportunity to support families with young people in a similar position.

She said: ‘We started by fundraising for Southampton Children’s Hospital to say thank you, and the fundraising just completely took off.

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‘At the moment we have already raised thousands of pounds through different fundraisers, so we have a solid pot of money set aside. We want to set up some exciting new adventures for children and their families who find themselves in a similar situation.

‘Families can access the funding through referrals from Clic Sargent, which we think is a great way of doing things like this. We just want other young people in similar situations to have the opportunity to live their lives to the max.’

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