Community rallies to make brave Jake smile
Jake Snowling and his sister, Sophie
A community has rallied to stage a surprise party for a teenager battling with a brain tumour.
The function was held for brave Jake Snowling, 15, of Redgrave.
It was arranged by his aunt, Teresa Snowling, and the majority of Jake’s year group at Hartismere School attended.
Rock band Walkway also performed at the event, which was held at the school in Eye last Friday. The quartet even duetted with Jake’s sister, Sophie, on three songs.
Mrs Snowling, said: “We wanted to give Jake a surprise party to get him together with his mates, as he has missed a huge amount of time off school.
“I approached Walkway, Jake’s favourite local band, who were only too happy to oblige, and Hartismere School kindly offered us the school hall.”
She added: “I wanted to do this simply to see him smile. Jake has been so brave, and he has never complained throughout his treatment. “It was great to see his reaction.”
Jake, pictured centre, was diagnosed with a brain tumour in November 2011, and has spent most of 2012 in and out of hospital having surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
A typical sports-mad teenager, Jake has represented Scole in football, and Garboldisham in cricket.
Along with his dad, uncle and cousin, Jake is a season-ticket holder at Ipswich Town football club.
He is also a big cricket fan, and met the England team courtesy of the Make-A-Wish foundation last year.
Jake got photos with every cricketer, including his favourite, batsman Kevin Pietersen.
Jake attended the surprise party under the pretence that he and his parents were going to pick up his sister, who had been auditioning for a school production.
When they entered the hall, the room was dark, before everyone in attendance made themselves known to an understandably shocked Jake.
As well as Walkway performing a set at the party, several of Jake’s friends arranged a music playlist before the band took to the stage.
Elsewhere, the family had a memory book on hand for those present to share anecdotes about their mate.
Similarly, a pupil at the school had organised a memory jar, in which Jake’s friends had submitted messages.
Walkway, meanwhile, had no hesitation in taking part in the event, according to the Redgrave-based rock band’s manager, Michael Ready.
He said: “The boys were honoured to be invited.”
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Weather for Diss
Wednesday 22 May 2013
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