Story added: 12th December 2018
Nine-year-old Ollie Elvin and his family have had an incredibly difficult year.
The football-mad Canaries fan was a typically active youngster and a member of the Community Sports Foundation’s football programme, but in May he was diagnosed with leukaemia and the months since have been dominated by intensive treatment and recovery.
Ollie’s mum Emma describes the moment that she knew her son’s situation was serious, which came during a conversation at the Norfolk & Norwich University Hospital:
“The nurse came to me and said: ‘is your husband (David) still here?’.
“I said: ‘no he’s gone home (with Ollie’s brothers)’, and she asked: ‘how long will it take him to come back?’.
“I knew then it was something serious. It was just like being physically punched, that’s the only way I can describe it.”
In that moment, life changed for the Elvin family, but Ollie’s love of being active was going nowhere and on just his second day of treatment he told his parents that he wanted to get up and do something.
In a show of defiant bravery, Ollie began a cycling challenge with his dad, to raise money for the Community Sports Foundation’s Build The Nest campaign and Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust.
Their target was 100 miles, and each night they would cycle for as much as Ollie could manage, which on the most difficult evenings was around a mile and a half.
In early September, Ollie and his dad completed the final mile of his challenge and were cheered home by around 60 friends and family members, having raised over £4,000.
Donate to Ollie's page
In recognition of Ollie’s bravery, Norwich City Football Club and the Community Sports Foundation arranged a tour of the Canaries’ Colney training centre for Ollie and his brothers, with an added surprise of meeting the entire first team and joining them for their squad photo.
Ollie was also invited to be a mascot for the Canaries, and proudly walked out with defender Christoph Zimmermann before the SkyBet Championship win over Wigan Athletic at Carrow Road.
A young Norwich City fan with leukaemia receives a special surprise from the team.
"It's so heartwarming to see others be proud of him too. He's had that support from the Foundation, which has meant that he's wanted to keep going."
Emma Elvin
Mother of Ollie
Could you follow in Ollie’s footsteps to fundraise for the Build The Nest campaign?
The Community Sports Foundation are aiming to raise a total of £9.4million to create a community sports hub in Horsford that will reach an extra 12,000 people a year.
Canary fans can make a donation, take part in one of the Foundation’s existing fundraising events, or take on a challenge of their own, just like Ollie.
Find out more
14th April 2025
Grant Holt leads a group of walkers on an epic 150-Mile Challenge, this Wednesday 16th April. Show your support today.
10th April 2025
Canaryball Rally, proudly sponsored by DMD Installations and Ovamill, is back for its third year—and it's gearing up to be our best yet.
8th April 2025
At last weekend's London Landmarks Half-Marathon, 12 fabulous Foundation fundraisers raised over £12,000 for the charity.
19th December 2024
Launch of the 150-Mile Challenge to raise vital funds for Norwich City Community Sports Foundation and Big C Cancer Charity.
When you donate a little each month, you will be helping to transform the lives of local people of all ages who need our support – giving them the opportunity to connect with others like them, feel happier and healthier in themselves, and raise their aspirations.
Ready for an adventure? Join us this July for the Three Peaks Challenge and help support the incredible work of the Community Sports Foundation. This is your chance to conquer the UK’s most iconic mountains, Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Mount Snowdon – all in one unforgettable weekend.
We have Soccer Schools running at venues across Norfolk & Suffolk, and whether participants are new to football, or are already a budding Canary superstar, the Soccer Schools programme has been put together to provide a fun, holiday activity at an affordable price.
As Norwich City Football Club's official charity partner, we help thousands of people every year achieve their goals through sport, supporting some of the most disadvantaged, disabled and talented people across Norfolk. Our vision is to support, inspire, and improve our community.
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