Urgent appeal to save Jack

RGB Building Supplies is calling on the community to support its fundraising efforts for young Somerset boy Jack Gyde, who urgently needs life-saving medical treatment in America.

At just five years old, Jack was diagnosed with stage four high-risk neuroblastoma, a severe type of cancer that develops in nerve cells. 

He is undergoing treatment, which will include intense chemotherapy, surgery, stem cell rescue, radiotherapy, and immunotherapy, but the cancer type means that there is a high relapse risk.

Jack’s parents, Sarah Mackey and Ben Gyde, are working to raise £250,000 to cover the costs of US maintenance treatment, which significantly lowers the return risk.

This treatment is not available in the UK, so the family will need to travel to America multiple times over a two-to-three-year period. 

A team from RGB and Somerset-based CRS Building Supplies, who are both part of the Independent Builders Merchant Group (IBMG), is partaking in two upcoming runs to support the family’s fundraising efforts.

The team includes Paul Reed from RGB’s Exeter branch, as well as RGB’s Ed Livesey, Dean Gerrans, and Sam White, and South West IBMG’s Danny Spokes and Jordan Darch.

On Sunday, October 20, they will take on the 10-mile AJ Bell Great South Run, and on Sunday, November 24, the Silverstone Run Fest half-marathon.

Ed said: “At RGB, supporting our community is a priority. When Jack's family contacted us, we knew we had to do something to help this brave young boy and his family.

“If able to, we hope the local community will support our fundraising—every donation will help Jack get one step closer to the treatment he needs. Thank you in advance to everyone who supports our team.”

A GoFundMe has been set up for those who want to donate to Jack’s treatment.