Boy, 7, On Premier League Stadium Challenge for Uncle

A boy from Surrey is completing his challenge of visiting all 20 Premier League stadiums in honour of his uncle who died from a brain tumour at just 26.

Zac, from Elmbridge, is due to finish his nationwide tour at Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge stadium on Monday.

The seven-year-old has taken on the year-long challenge in honour of his late uncle Stephen Realf, a trainee RAF pilot and football fan from Rugby, who lost his life a decade ago.

According to Brain Tumour Research, this form of cancer kills more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer.

All proceeds from Zac’s challenge will go to Brain Tumour Research, whose vision is to find a cure for all types of brain tumours.

As he approaches the end of his tour, mum Maria said they are “determined to keep raising awareness and support the brain tumour community and help keep more families together”.

She said the challenge felt like a “fitting tribute” to Stephen and a brilliant way for Zac to raise money for a charity close to the family’s heart.

“He [Zac] loves football, a huge passion he shares with the uncle he never got to meet,” she added.

A visit to the home ground of Tottenham Hotspur, who Stephen supported, has been among the most poignant visits so far.

Maria and a friend have taken part in other challenges not possible for Zac due to his age, including an abseil of the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Since Stephen’s death the family have been campaigning for greater funding into brain tumour research.

In 2015, Maria and her family started a petition which – after gaining over 120,000 signatures – prompted a Westminster Hall debate and ultimately led to the formation of a working group on brain tumours chaired by Prof Chris Whitty.

Charlie Allsebrook, community development manager at Brain Tumour Research, said: “It’s incredibly heart-warming to see how excited Zac is to be part of the family’s year-long fundraiser.

“Stephen’s story serves as a reminder that brain tumours are indiscriminate and can affect anyone at any age.

“Maria and her family have been a driving force towards shining a light on brain tumours and the lack of investment in research into the disease.”

BBC.com