Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity (GOSH Charity) has today unveiled a striking new art installation at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park’s Pleasure Garden Play Areas, to help raise awareness of the growing impact of childhood cancer and funds for the new Children’s Cancer Centre.
Unveiled during the first week of spring—a time when families traditionally flock to outdoor spaces—the three life-sized statues serve as a poignant reminder of the everyday family moments often stolen by a diagnosis. Woven from replica chemotherapy wires, the sculptures represent the hundreds of children currently in treatment whose childhoods are effectively on pause.
Each statue includes motion-triggered audio technology, meaning visitors will hear affected children’s stories and thoughts first-hand, told in their own voices.
With cases of childhood cancer rising by 11% since the early 2000s, the installation highlights the reality that more childhoods are being affected in the UK than ever before. Around 1,900 children are diagnosed every year, and the installation’s presence in a playground serves as a stark reminder that cancer remains the leading killer of children aged one to 14 in the UK. With the country losing more than four children to the disease every week—totalling around 220 deaths annually—these sculptures represent the vital everyday family moments that are stolen by a diagnosis.
The statues particularly highlight the vulnerability of the youngest patients, as children under five now make up nearly half (45%) of all new cases in children and account for around one in three (34%) of all childhood cancer deaths. For these toddlers and infants, a diagnosis hits during their most formative years of discovery, replacing the simple joys of early play and first milestones with the clinical reality of life-changing treatment.
A Childhood Interrupted: Frank’s Story
For three-year-old Frank Cable from Essex, the “pause” button was hit just as he was beginning to explore the world. Frank represents a sobering statistic: it is estimated that around 1 in every 420 boys in the UK will be diagnosed with cancer by age 14. A ‘Cars’ obsessed toddler who was happiest crawling with a toy in each hand, Frank’s life changed in 2024 when a seizure led to the discovery of a brain tumour. After an 11-hour surgery at GOSH and subsequent proton beam therapy, Frank is now in remission, but the missed moments have left a lasting mark.
“He has no interest in enjoying messy food or doing messy play,” says his mum, Emily Cable. We didn’t take him to the park for so long because we were worried about infections and at the age when he should have been playing in the garden, picking up things he shouldn’t be… he wasn’t able to do that. ”
Frank regularly returns to GOSH with further surgery planned in the future. GOSH’s dedicated play team, funded by GOSH Charity, continue to support Frank and his family.
Emily says: “The play team were just incredible. They were there to make our lives easier and Frank’s childhood happier. They remembered him from previous admissions – it’s nice to have familiar faces. Frank’s not like a typical three-year-old running around at soft play, but he’s started to take steps now, and is starting to say a lot more words and understand more, which is lovely.”
Sky’s story
The sculptures also reflect the journey of five-year-old Sky Barton, from West Sussex. After a CT scan in 2021 revealed a tumour and fluid on her brain, Sky underwent brain surgery and was diagnosed with medulloblastoma, a type of cancerous brain tumour that mostly affects children. GOSH’s care included targeted treatment with chemotherapy drugs injected directly into her brain.
The reality of life in hospital was tough for Sky’s family as mum Em explains: “Not going outside together with Sky was one of the things I found really hard day-to-day. It was difficult to see families with children playing in the park when she was stuck in her room.”
Sky’s family was thankful for GOSH’s support and are backing the charity’s efforts to build a new Children’s Cancer Centre. Dad Benedict says: “The Play Team made the experience so much better, they built an instant rapport with Sky and kept her distracted and in a good mood, singing songs and playing games. Without them it would have been impossible really, they were integral to our care.
“We often think about people and families going through similar situations to us, so it’s so good to know that there will be this incredible new facility for them. When we look back, the care and attitude of everyone was second-to-none but things the Children’s Cancer Centre will offer like improved accommodation, a balcony to get some fresh air, extra space, those things would have made a massive difference to us.”
April marks five years since Sky’s diagnosis, with Sky’s family planning to host a five-year anniversary party to celebrate reaching the milestone.
Gabi Field, Deputy Director of Public Fundraising at GOSH Charity, says: “These sculptures are a visceral reminder that for children like Frank and Sky, the simple joys of the playground are often replaced by the clinical reality of the ward and cancer treatment. By weaving these statues from replica chemotherapy wires, we are highlighting the precious family moments that are put on pause for children with cancer and their loved ones across the UK.
“This installation at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park isn’t just about the challenges these families navigate, it’s a call to action to help us fundraise to build the new Children’s Cancer Centre at Great Ormond Street Hospital. While the hospital’s incredible clinicians and Play team work tirelessly to bring joy to the wards today, this new centre will provide cutting-edge facilities in a home-from-home environment, so we can go even further to give children with cancer the best chance and the best childhood possible.
“We’re calling on the public to support our ‘Build it. Beat it.’ fundraising appeal so we can provide the world-class facilities these children deserve, giving them the best possible chance to just be children again.”
The sculptures will remain at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park’s Pleasure Garden Play Areas for three days (Tuesday 17 – Thursday 19 March), inviting the public to reflect on the impact of cancer on childhood, and the vital importance of the support provided by GOSH Charity.
When cancer hits, childhood suffers. To find out more and donate to help build the new Children’s Cancer Centre at GOSH, visit gosh.org/childrens-cancer-centre or search GOSH Charity
