Benny's Battalion charity fund launched in name of Benny Pitcher

And now Kevin and Julie, the parents of the boy from East Runton who died in 2020, have dedicated themselves to helping others in a similar situation. 

The couple - along with Martin Watts and Ben Letzer - have set up Benny’s Battalion, a fund within the Norfolk Community Foundation, as a vehicle to fundraise for six children’s charities that helped their son.

Benny Pitcher, on his dad, Kevin's lap, and family (Image: Supplied by Kevin Pitcher)

And Mr Pitcher, 48, is now in training for one of its first big fundraisers - he will run the Daffodil Dawdle marathon in Suffolk alongside friend Chris Gibbons.

Mr Pitcher said: “We promised the public that we would do it and now we’ve fulfilled our promise to Benny.

“Benny’s Battalion is going to give us an opportunity to carry on his name.

“I’ve got myself into a good state of mind and I’m feeling fit to run the 26 miles.”

Benny and Kevin Pitcher (Image: Supplied by Kevin Pitcher)

Benny had a rare form of brain cancer called Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma. 

It was diagnosed in 2019 after a family holiday in Skegness, during which his balance became poor and his face dropped to one side.

READ MORE: Hundreds line streets to say final farewell to six-year-old ‘superhero’ Benny Pitcher

During his treatment, people from across north Norfolk and beyond came together to support the Pitcher family.

A QR code that can be scanned to find out more about Benny's Battalion and donate (Image: Supplied)

His parents said: “We had hope, and whilst we dealt with this unknown world we received immense support from our community, and various charities and organisations to help us through.

"Without this support, we would have struggled so much more than we did.”

Mr Pitcher said they had already started fundraising for Benny’s Battalion by hosting a quiz night at the Wheatsheaf in West Beckham.

Kevin Pitcher with Benny's chemotherapy mask, which he plans to carry with him on the marathon (Image: Supplied)

He said: “We’ve got lots of things lined up throughout the year.”

To find out more or donate to Benny’s Battalion, visit www.norfolkfoundation.com/giving-and-philanthropy/bennys-battalion-fund