Memorial walk ensures boy leaves lasting legacy

ABOUT 20 people (and seven dogs) took part in a memorial walk to honour a boy who died from a brain tumour.

Toni Ilsley, from Emmer Green, organised it to mark what would have been her son Charlie’s 18th birthday. He passed away in December 2020 aged 13, after a long fight with cancer.

The group completed a circular 14km route starting and finishing at Henley train station on March 9.

They included Mrs Ilsley’s clients from Charlie’s Dog Place, her day care centre in Sonning Common, friends and Amanda Stephens, who lost her teenage son Olly after he was murdered in Bugs Bottom field in Emmer Green in January 2021.

The walkers hiked from Henley to Hambleden, taking in Mill End and Aston before returning to the town centre.

The walk raised £800 in aid of Team Charlie, which is raising money for a static home in Hoburne Cotswold Water Park, to help families who have a child living with a brain tumour.

The charity was set up in Charlie’s memory in 2022 to provide grants for children with brain, neck or spinal tumours.

Mrs Ilsley, who is married to Mark, said: “There were three reasons why I wanted to organise this walk. Number one was to honour Charlie’s 18th. Number two is to raise awareness of the charity and number three is to raise money for the holiday home. This walk was to make it a more special day and to think about him in a more positive way.

“When there are a lot of people with you and the sun is shining and you’re out on a nice walk, it just makes it a little bit more special. “Charlie’s condition is not talked about or shown as much as other conditions. They look at it as complicated.”

On the day of Charlie’s birthday, March 4, Mrs Ilsley tied about 16 helium balloons to a toy dog before releasing it into the sky.

The group stopped at two pubs along the route, The Stag & Huntsman in Hambleden and The Flower Pot in Aston, where they raised a toast to mark his birthday.

The group hugged one another on completing the walk, which took about six hours from start to finish.

Mrs Stephens, from Emmer Green, said she wanted to join the walk to make sure Charlie is never forgotten.

She said: “It should always be remembered that Charlie is getting older and he is now 18.

“I think all the people who came today are like-minded. We all enjoy a bit of a chat and a catch up to help each other a little bit along the way.

“You come back and you feel lighter and happier and energised from it all. Both of our sons died at the same age. Olly died about three weeks after Charlie did.

“We live really close to each other so for me to know that I could reach out to Toni at times where I knew she had been through it and I could ask her for some help and advice as well, has meant the world.”

Sonia Silva, from Reading, a regional director of a care company, is a client and friend of Mrs Ilsley.

She said: “It felt really touching to mark Charlie’s birthday, especially because I also have a friend who is living with a brain tumor so it’s important to raise awareness.”

Emily Ashby, the manager of Charlie’s Dog Place, said: “Since I’ve been working here, I’ve done everything that Team Charlie has done. I wanted to prove to myself that I could do this walk.

“You can talk about it in a nice way without feeling sad and having everyone remember him while doing something for him. It’s an accomplishment and a way to remember him.”

Claire Brown, from Cheltenham, a founder of Team Charlie, said: “The scenery was breathtaking and it was the perfect way to remember Charlie.

“The walk brought us into farmland and fields where you could see trees for miles.”

To donate, visit https://www.teamcharlie.org.uk/get-involved