A FOUR-year-old's festive thank you message to a volunteer carer holding his family together is lighting up London.
Oscar, whose mum has cancer, wrote the note of gratitude for the help from family support charity Home-Start UK West Somerset.
His wording "Our volunteer reads me dinosaur books" is one of 12 appearing on the BT Tower daily until next Friday (December 17).
His mum Emma Laskey said: “It’s lovely knowing Oscar’s message is lighting up the BT Tower.
"Home-Start really made a difference to us, so if we can help raise awareness about their amazing volunteers, that will be brilliant.
“We appreciate everything they've done for us and for me personally. I'm grateful for the laughs I've had with our volunteer Clare cheering me up and when they provide Oscar with activities we can do together, giving me back part of my role as a mum that I've lost so much of through my illness; providing support for my hubby so he has someone to talk to.
"They've helped arrange young careers and school support for my 15-year-old Codie, who's been so supportive, but he needed time out to have fun and forget the serious situation at home.”
Emma gave up her job as a support worker, lost her mobility and was unable to care for her family after being diagnosed with an incurable cancer 11 years ago.
“The impact this has had on my family has been huge," said Emma, who has undergone a series of operations.
"My husband Neil has had to adjust from having a wife that did everything to a wife that can barely do anything.
"My kids are worried about me – something no mum wants to see. My youngest Oscar sees his mum in bed more than anywhere else.
“Home-Start’s support has made such a difference to my family and helped us as we guide our way through the carnage my cancer has caused."
Home-Start even matched Neil with a volunteer, James, and they have become firm friends, going on weekly walks together.
Home-Start UK chief executive Peter Grigg said: “We're absolutely delighted our corporate partner BT has been able to help us share the real meaning of Christmas: simple pleasures, support, friendship and kindness.”
BT's Victoria Johnson said: “It's great to be able to share these thank you messages and show the impact it has, particularly on children."
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