Best friends Dexter and Daniel are “as thick as thieves” but Daniel’s recent hospitalisation has torn the two apart
Best friends Daniel Markham (left) and Dexter Venimore.(Image: Stacey Venimore)
A big hearted schoolboy from east Hull has launched a fundraising effort in support of his best friend, who has undergone major surgery. Nine year-old Dexter Venimore and Daniel Markham are neighbours and both attend Estcourt Primary, with Dexter’s mum, Stacey, describing the two “as thick as thieves” and always at each others’ sides.
But Daniel is currently in hospital having undergone urgent surgery for cancer found in his brain and spine. With Daniel facing an incredibly tough battle, the pair are unable to see or even speak to each other.
So Dexter has turned his energies to a sponsored walk and is now trying to recruit classmates, which he hopes will send a signal to Daniel that he is loved and supported. He plans to take to East Park on Saturday, November 28.
“Dexter wanted to do something to help. Anything to cheer Daniel up and to let him know that we’re all thinking about him and missing him,” explained Stacey.
She added: “They’ve been best friends since nursery. They play Fortnite together, they play Roblox together and at school they’re as thick as thieves – best of friends. On the fundraiser we’ve said that Daniel is an amazing little lad, and he’s also a pro at Fortnite.
“Also, on a morning when we walk to school, we spend 10-15minutes talking about Emmerdale and Coronation Street. I’ve never known a nine year-old so intrigued by those programmes.”
Daniel’s illness came as a shock to Dexter, who had waited for him to walk to school one day but was told by his father that Daniel had gone to hospital complaining of headache and stomach ache. Dexter had hoped to see his friend the following day only to be told Daniel had been rushed to Leeds as his condition became apparent.
The pair managed to facetime each other before Daniel’s operation and Dexter has been asking for updates ever since. Stacey, who says she is “incredibly proud” of Dexter, said: “It’s hard – with Dexter being so young I don’t think he really understands the severity of what’s going on. He asks me every day: “mam, have you heard from Daniel. What’s going on with Daniel, is he OK?” I don’t tell him everything because obviously it’s upsetting.”
She added: “Dexter is itching for him to come home. All he wants to do is see him. I’m hoping that at some point – even if Daniel can’t communicate – that they can at least see each other.”
With help from his mum, Dexter – who is no stranger to fundraising through his involvement in a football team – came up with the idea of a sponsored walk through East Park. He chose the central location in a bid to get as many people involved from the community as possible.
Dexter said: “We became friends in nursery because we liked playing together every day. I miss, miss, miss him lots.” And asked what made him come up with the sponsored walk, Dexter added: “I’ll do anything for my best friend ever and I just want him to get better.”
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