Dad's crusade for dying son
By Matt Pitman

Monday 4th July 2005

WEYMOUTH Football Club star Dave Waterman today told of his emotional fundraising appeal for his dying son.

Oakley Waterman, six, has only weeks to live after fighting a three-year battle with cancer.

Popular Terras defender Dave and wife Lorraine now hope to buy a £32,000 respite caravan for families affected by the disease.

They are appealing for donations and plan to set up a charitable fund to buy the £300-a-week static home where the Watermans have been staying with their son.

Brave Oakley contracted rhabdomyosarcoma, which caused a tumour in his pelvis, three years ago and has since undergone numerous operations in his battle with the disease.

But doctors now say his condition cannot be cured and with time running out, Terras star Dave wants to do something to help his and other families.

The ex-Northern Ireland under-21 international, who joined Weymouth from Oxford United last year, told the Echo: "Oakley was diagnosed with cancer when he was three and has undergone countless operations and periods of treatment since.

"He was put in remission after his condition improved but unfortunately things have taken a turn for the worse recently.

"Doctors say the size of his tumour is too large to operate on and unfortunately it is only a matter of weeks before Oakley passes away.

"Now it's just going to be a case of making him as comfortable as possible before he goes up to Heaven."

Dave added: "In the past few weeks we've spent time with Oakley living in a holiday caravan near Bognor in Sussex and the new surroundings have given him a tremendous boost and really pepped him up.

"Oakley has told us his wish is for us to buy the caravan to bring some joy to other children and families in similar situations.

"We want to name the caravan after Oakley and set it up as a charity but the problem we've got is that it can take up to three months to go through the proper procedure and we've only got a matter of weeks.

"Instead we plan to raise as much money as possible in Oakley's name and transfer the cash to the charity once we get the go ahead."

Dave, who lives near Portsmouth, said he and wife Lorraine are drawing strength through the way brave Oakley is coping.

"Oakley has been brilliant," said the former Portsmouth player.

"He gets pain now and again but he has been really brave.

"He thinks he'll get the chance to play football every day in Heaven and meet some of his friends again who he got to know in hospital before they died.

"The hardest part has been when Oakley recently asked us why he was not getting better.

"It is difficult knowing what to say in those circumstances."

Channel Islander Dave, who was born on Guernsey, said he is grateful for support from team-mates and club officials at the Wessex Stadium.

"Everyone at Weymouth has been brilliant and once the inevitable happens and we get through the mourning process, I'm looking forward to returning," he said.

"Oakley has told me he wants me to carry on my football career and that's what I intend to do.

"Lots of players from around the game have got in touch to offer support and I'm also grateful to our manager Garry Hill who has assured me I have a future with Weymouth which has been really nice to hear."

Captain Matt Bound, who also played with Dave at Oxford United, said: "Dave's a brilliant guy who thinks the world of Oakley.

"Whatever happens over the next few weeks, we're behind him all the way and will do what we can to help."

Anyone wanting to support Dave's appeal can send cheques, payable to Oakley Waterman, to Church Farm Holiday Village, Pagham, Chichester, Sussex, PO21 4NR, or call the Echo on 01305 830995.