Luke's Legacy, 1 year on
Today our hearts are with Luke Wiltshire’s family as we join them in remembering their special son, brother and Uncle on the 1st anniversary of his passing. Luke always put others before himself. Kind, gentle and humble with a uniqueness and strength his family say carries on through his legacy. Luke’s quiet determination has made the biggest of impacts. Here’s how…
With support from Luke’s amazing family, Solving Kids’ Cancer UK were so privileged to launch the Big Love Fund on what would have been Luke’s 24th birthday in June of this year. The fund has been created to directly support children and young people like Luke, who are diagnosed with neuroblastoma, to help with unmet needs.
“Luke was so special and touched the world. To be able to continue his journey and to help others in his legacy is phenomenal, he would have wanted that. He would have given everything to ensure others were okay so that people alike can have dreams like he did.”
Claire, Luke's Sister
The Big Love Fund has been created to provide financial support, via a grant award, to all families of children and young people affected by neuroblastoma. The fund is available to families across the UK and Ireland.
Many of you will have been touched by Luke’s story, when the #gamingcommunity rallied together to make a seemingly unachievable wish come true. Gail Jackson, CEO Solving Kids’ Cancer UK, says “Having faced years of aggressive and toxic cancer treatment, Luke found solace and comfort in the world of Marvel and gaming, and had a special wish to play the, not yet released, game Marvel’s Midnight Suns from 2K and Firaxis Games.
His wish to play this game sparked a remarkable series of events and a groundswell of support across social media from the gaming community, which resulted in Luke’s wish coming true. Incredibly, 2K – the game’s publisher –reached out to Solving Kids’ Cancer UK and a member of the 2k team visited Luke with a special in-development version of the game, making Luke among the first few people in the world to have the chance to play. He is now forever immortalised in the game with a special tribute – his name engraved on a tree within the game.
He was absolutely committed and passionate about the work of Solving Kids’ Cancer UK, being a voice for children and ensuring that there were funds available for children and young people like him to support others.
Luke’s self-made slogan - Big Love, only love, always love – has inspired the name of this special fund and the Big Love Fund is here for all families of children and young people affected by this devastating disease.
The launch of this fund is in line with our new 5-year strategy and ambition to reach more families impacted by neuroblastoma and support their needs especially so given the cost of living crisis. Since the launch of the Big Love Fund in June 2022, 20 children/families have directly benefitted from a grant award.
“We feel empty. We miss his voice, his laugh and his sound advice but Luke’s legacy will live on and he will be recognised just how he wanted to be. That’s more than we could have wished for and we take comfort in that. His strength, positive mindset, beautiful smile and hilarious sense of humour keeps our family going.“
Claire, Luke's Sister
Donations to the Big Love Fund will ensure we can continue to help support children and young people like Luke.
Our thanks go to Luke, his sister Claire, his mum Debbie and his family for inspiring the Big Love Fund. We extend our thanks also to our wonderful supporters across the gaming community 2k, Firaxis, Sumo Digital, Sumo Group, our patron Carl Cavers and the neuroblastoma parent community including our passionate fundraisers, donors and champions. Thank you.
Remembering Luke. Forever 23 years ❤️