Pupils run for classmate who died from brain tumour

A nine-year-old boy who died from a rare brain tumour is to be honoured by his former schoolmates in Derbyshire with a commemorative fun run.

"Sporty and determined" Brody Price was diagnosed in September 2023 with Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG), a highly aggressive, fast-growing tumour and died eight months later.

His fellow Shardlow Primary pupils will take part in a sponsored fun run to mark two years since his passing, with all proceeds going to the forest school which Brody loved to explore.

"Losing your nine-year-old child is the worst thing that could ever happen, but having that love in the community and from the children - it gives us comfort," said his mother Bev Price.

Brody was captain of his football club in Castle Donington and his family said he had a passion for running, sports and schoolwork.

"He was so determined in everything he did," said his mother. "With sports, maths... he always had to do his best and he always wanted to do really well."

But in the summer of 2023, Brody started having headaches, dizziness and behavioural changes which resulted in a go-karting accident.

Doctors at Nottingham's Queen's Medical Centre found a mass on Brody's brain and diagnosed DIPG, a highly aggressive and, almost always, fatal form of brain cancer that predominantly affects young children.

"I look back at photos from that summer and Brody was running, he was playing and still winning. Then by September, he couldn't walk and he couldn't talk," said Bev.

Brody had 12 rounds of radiotherapy and was given a life expectancy of between nine and 18 months, but his family were determined to fill that time with special memories.

With support from the charities Rainbows, Pasic and Wish Upon A Star, Brody visited Disneyland Paris, watched football matches from executive boxes and met his England heroes, Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham.

"When we look back and remember Brody, we've got all those lovely things that we did in a really short space of time," said Bev.

Brody continued to attend school for half a day a week and enjoyed spending with his friends and engaging in forest school activities.

He died in May 2024 at the age of nine.

"There's no reason why children get DIPG, it's just one of those unlucky things," said his mother, who described losing her child as the "worst thing that could ever happen."

"Brody didn't know he had cancer, because we never told him, but I do think he sort of knew how poorly he was without realising it," she added.

Before Brody died, his school organised a sponsored run around the sports field, an event which has become an annual tradition in his memory.

The track is now marked with wooden posts, each with a different decorative tribute to Brody's hobbies and interests, 3D-printed by former schoolmate, Orion.

Two commemorative benches and a Christmas tree have also been installed beside the field by community groups.

"Everybody's come together and you can just tell how loved Brody is," Bev said.

"My worry is Brody will get forgotten, because he was only nine when he died, but I don't think he will. I think the community will make sure Brody lives on."

Jessie and Henry, both 11, are two of Brody’s friends taking part in the whole school race event on Friday.

“Brody holds a special place in our heart and it's been nice to remember him and commemorate him,” said Jessie.

"He was very kind, very sporty and he loved everybody," added Henry.

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