Jessica fights back through Foundation programme

To mark the English Football League’s (EFL) annual Week of Action, Foundation of Light wanted to share a unique participant’s success story which is nothing short of incredible.

An avid netball player, Jessica Hunter, 11, was a regular visitor to the Beacon of Light where she represented local team, Wearside Wildcats.

Despite Covid-19 already presenting its own challenges to young people across the region, Jessica had her own world turned upside down during the pandemic following a shock cancer diagnosis.

The youngster, of Castle View Enterprise Academy, Sunderland, received her treatment during a period when Covid-19 was recording its highest peaks for infection. A blood cancer called Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia, Jessica lost the use of her legs and is now in a wheelchair due to the effects of her intense chemotherapy.

In and out of hospital over a long period of time, where Jessica spent three weeks in intensive care as well a long four month hospital stay, she was unable to attend school or visit her friends’ houses due to the risk of infection, affecting her confidence causing her to feel socially isolated.

Still on the road to recovery, the netball prodigy returned to the Beacon in August 2022 albeit it was in the kitchen where Jessica would discover a new-found passion.

After thriving in the Foundation’s summer holiday baking courses, Foundation staff highlighted the Family Learning healthy cooking sessions on offer, enabling Jessica to get out of the house more often, build up her confidence and start socialising with people her own age.

During the early exchanges of joining the programme, Jessica was still faced with certain challenges, both physically and mentally. With Jessica’s mum concerned about her daughter potentially attracting other illnesses due to the high attendances, staff were determined to not let Jessica’s talents go to waste, reassuring her by taking immediate action.

Jessica was presented with her own workspace, allowing her to still be part of the session but in control of her own area. Participating in the sessions in a wheelchair as a result of her treatment, Jessica was determined to let nothing stand in her way, adapting to the situation, overcoming yet another hurdle.

Initially, the secondary school student kept to herself during the workshops, however, after just a few weeks, Jessica went from strength-to-strength, learning she had a lot in common with other participants, including one individual who attended the same primary school. Gaining her confidence back, Jessica continued to thrive, telling jokes and making new friends.

Jasmine Davies, Family Learning Offer at the Foundation of Light, is just one of many staff who has witnessed Jessica’s progress in and out of the kitchen. “It has been a pleasure getting to know Jessica and her family. I feel privileged that she felt comfortable enough to share her story with us and open up about the tough times she has been through.

“Jessica has come such a long way. She is a very determined young lady who doesn’t let anything get in her way. I speak on behalf of everyone at the Foundation when I say we are proud of her and the progress she has made.”

Joanne Hunter, Jessica’s mum commented: “We really enjoyed the classes and we are really grateful to the Foundation for going above and beyond by making it a safe place for Jessica to be able to join in.

“We are really looking forward to joining in any suitable classes in the future and we can’t wait for Jessica to be well and strong enough to get back to netball.”

Jessica is now attending school more regularly and is already asking about the half-term baking courses so she can return to the Beacon and do some fun activities.

You can check out our various Family Learning courses by clicking here.