Cancer-fighter Leo the Lion flies home to Spain for welcome party

BRAVE four-year-old Leo Bermejo from Almeria has finished his 31 sessions of proton beam therapy in Oklahoma and is on way home to Spain via Toronto, Amsterdam and Manchester, despite re-routed flights and missing luggage problems.

The proton treatment in the States followed Leo’s fourth brain tumour operation in the Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in the UK.

On Sunday (7 May) supporters of Leo the Lion will gather in Vera, Almeria for a welcome home party and a belated ninth birthday party for his sister Sofia.

Mum Karen said: “Everything has been like a whirlwind over the last few months and things have progressed so quickly. I do not think we have really had time to sit down and comprehend everything that has happened.

“We have achieved the unbelievable. Leo has proven to us all yet again that he is not ready to give up and he still continues to give us all a smile that lightens up people’s lives.”

She went on to praise Team Leo who helped raised thousands of euros to fund Leo’s specialist treatment to give Leo the chance in life he deserves.

And she offered a big ‘thank you’ to the anonymous donor who paid the balance to reach the fund’s  target.

She said: “I hope you are reading this and continue to follow Leo’s story and progress. We cannot thank you enough. Reaching the target before Leo’s operation meant that we could relax and enjoy the time with him without stressing about the fundraising. I have no idea who you are or where you live but my whole family thank you from the bottom of our hearts.”

Karen told how happy it makes her to share every step of Leo’s journey knowing  it has brought people together, changed people’s mentality of life, and made people realise that the little silly things in life do not really matter anymore, odds can be defeated, living life to the fullest is the most important thing in the world.

“If a little four-year-old boy can still smile every single day whilst going through horrific,  cruel treatment then everyone can smile a bit more every day.

“We have met the most amazing inspirational people on this journey, people who will be friends for life.

“I feel like we have also learned some lessons ourselves and who are our true friends through the good and bad times, people who have stuck by and supported us no matter what.”

You can follow Leo’s journey on the fund’s new Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/leothelionsfight/

To give your support to the ongoing Leo the Lion fundraising campaign here is how you can donate: www.gofundme.com/leothelion3

Paypal: karenlisakeefe@hotmail.com

Spanish account:
Bank: Banco Sabadell
Account Name: Leo James Bermejo
Account Number: ES69 0081 0597 0900 0602 1116
Swift: BSAB ESBB

UK account:
Bank: Royal Bank of Scotland
Account Name: Alda Keefe
Account Number: 17485819
Sort Code: 16-24-06