Lauren loves her sporting involvement
Lauren George is a very gritty young lady who has refused to let her illness overwhelm her and has chosen to be very positive about it all in the three years since she was first diagnosed with having leukaemia.
At that time Lauren was a typically happy nine year old who attended the Pembroke Dock Junior School, or ‘Blue School’ as it is known locally, and enjoyed herself with her friends. She had just taken up running, especially in the 100 and 200 metre sprints but on the 5th November 2005 her illness was diagnosed and since then she has battled with double pneumonia, shingles, and a stroke-like reaction to her chemotherapy – and also been heavily involved in helping to raise awareness over the problems facing youngsters, and the families, of children who are ill, through the LATCH charity that does so much good work.
Supports big brother
To that end she has met a number of famous people, but more of that later, but has also managed to keep supporting big brother Craig as he continues to develop his footballing career at Haverfordwest County. He plays in the senior squad now but is a regular with the youth team and Lauren rarely misses a match, alongside dad Jonathan, a former footballer himself, and mum Tracy. She cheers the side on and even helps Tracey with the food for the games, taking on the role unaided when mum was unable to attend for one match, and it is no surprise that she is made very welcome by all who know her at the Bridge Meadow Stadium. She also watched him playing for Wales Youth and cheered him on to the full, alongside the rest of the George family.
Important dates for Lauren
Her next big date is the ‘Race For Life’ event which this year is scheduled to take place at Scolton Manor, where they hope as many women as possible will turn up to raise funds for charity by getting around the course, either running or walking, hopefully supported by their men-folk in turning up to cheer them on. Lauren had an old friend in Ellen Lynch push her in a wheelchair for the first two events and after being disappointed about missing last year through not being well has been honoured to be asked to start the event this year, with her klaxon announcing the start of the fun. She will then walk the five kilometres with Tracey, plus friends Sally, Sophie and Tammy and it clearly means a great deal to this pleasant young lady and she will aim to perform her duty with typical charm and good humour, especially since both dad and big brother will be drafted in to cheer everyone on!
One of the highlights of her determination to help others came when she joined other youngsters who are ill in meeting Tony Blair at 10 Downing Street when he was Prime Minister. She presented him with a bauble for a Christmas Tree and he put on his private one, to Lauren’s great delight – and she also attended the Houses of Parliament and met The Speaker, Michael Martin, who is nicknamed ‘Gorbals Mick’ for his strong Scottish accent. One of the memorable moments of the trip was planting a tree in the grounds of Parliament, which Lauren hopes to see grow well over the years.
Trundle and the Swans are tops!
But if pushed, Lauren would have to admit that attending the Liberty Stadium understandably ranks even higher for someone who loves football so much, especially since Swansea City have been so good to her from the time that current manager Roberto Martinez was captain. She has been the team mascot on four occasions and became great friends with Lee Trundle before he left for pastures new, giving her a framed signed shirt and sometimes popping across to say hello to her if he spotted her during the pre-match warm-up. Lauren has to admit that she was hugely disappointed at Trundle’s departure but she still regularly supports The Swans.
Top fund-raiser and shining spirit recognised
Another measure of how involved Lauren is on the fund-raising front can be gauged by the fact that a charity sponsored walk she was involved in organising at the Blue School resulted in £7,000 being raised for LATCH and there was wonderful support from outside agencies like the local fire fighters. They not only took their fire engine to the event but some walked – and they also presented Lauren with a lap top so that she could keep up with school work and in touch with her friends via MSN.
Some of the scaffolding lads from Pembroke Dock who work at Chevron had their heads shaved to raise funds for Lauren, whilst Graham Thomas’s karate club presented her with a television for her bedroom as other groups recognised her indomitable spirit.
Lauren has also appeared on the Roy Noble Show on Radio Wales and has been given a camcorder so that she can film her life for a TV programme in the pipeline as she continues to keep busy.
But it is her football that she enjoys as much as anything else and Lauren George is sure to be a regular fixture at the Bridge Meadow Stadium to watch brother Craig, and at the Liberty Stadium to watch Swansea City, for many years to come!
