HUNDREDS of people turned out to the 'emotional' brain tumour fundraiser in memory of local teen.

More than 250 people turned up to the Team Charlie fundraiser on Saturday, June 24, in memory of Reading teen Charlie Ilsley.

Charlie Ilsley was 13 when he lost his brave battle in December 2020, and pupils from Highdown and The Hill, Charlie’s former primary school, united to sing alongside Reading Phoenix Choir as part of the musical tribute.

Claire Brown, charity trustee, said: "It was spectacular. Over 250 people turned up and we raised more than £2,100. Such an emotional evening. The pupils sang This Is Me and Somewhere Over The Rainbow, two of Charlie’s favourite songs."

The concert featured some of Charlie’s favourite songs, with all profits going to Team Charlie, the charity set up in his memory which supports children with brain tumours across Oxfordshire and Berkshire.

Toni Ilsley, Charlie’s mother, who is also a Trustee of the charity, saw it as a fitting tribute to her son, and an opportunity for the community to come together to honour him in what will be a very emotional evening for her.  

Toni explained that there were tight restrictions on funerals around Christmas 2020, so many pupils and family weren’t given the opportunity to pay their respects in the way wanted.

"Now we’ve set up Team Charlie, we thought one of our first fundraisers would serve as the perfect tribute to him, and what better venue than his school where so many teachers, parents and children knew him", Toni said.

Speaking before the event, Toni added: “He'd be delighted to know what we were doing – not just for him but for other children with brain tumours. We’ve got a singing workshop for pupils on the day ahead of the evening’s event; so many people are investing their spare time into this and rehearsing weeks ahead, it’s amazing.

"With the Reading Phoenix Choir singing too, it promises to be an incredibly inspiring and moving concert although I won’t lie, it will be an extremely tough, emotional night for me too.”