Mark Ede

When your six-year-old is diagnosed with Ewing Sarcoma, one of the hardest challenges is watching them lose the simple joys that make childhood meaningful. Football wasn't just a sport for Aleks—it was freedom, friendship, and feeling like a normal boy. Mark James Ede made sure cancer couldn't take that away.

The Coach Who Became a Champion

Mark is Aleks's volunteer football coach at Chislehurst Wanderers FC, an England Football Accredited club dedicated to nurturing every player's development. We first met Mark when Aleks joined the team, and we'd often see each other at the school gates since both our children attend the same school. As Director of Commercial Traffic EMEA at NBCUniversal Media, Mark balances demanding senior professional responsibilities with his commitment to grassroots youth football—dedicating his own time to coaching young players and building their confidence both on and off the pitch.

What makes Mark exceptional as a coach is his ability to engage every child. His approach ingeniously combines fun games with age-appropriate banter and genuine skill development. Parents watching Mark work consistently comment on how his style makes a huge impression—children want to be better whilst never losing the joy that brings them to the pitch in the first place. He always smiles, making him approachable and easy to talk to. When Aleks joined the team, Mark's welcoming nature made him feel comfortable immediately—a gift for any child, but especially meaningful for one about to face a cancer diagnosis.

When Diagnosis Changed Everything

Mark was probably the first person to reach out when he learned about Aleks's diagnosis. He didn't just offer sympathy—he offered action. Mark asked if he could create a fundraising page for TeamAleks, manage it for us, and organise fundraising and awareness events. For a family suddenly navigating the overwhelming world of paediatric oncology, having someone step forward with practical support made an immeasurable difference.

Mark has since organised several fundraising initiatives, including the Tom Parker charity football match in Bromley where Aleks was honoured as mascot for the day. Walking out alongside Andy Johnson, former Crystal Palace and England striker, was a moment Aleks will treasure forever. Although Aleks had to leave before the match ended, Andy Johnson personally drove to visit him and gifted him his brand-new football boots, promising a future kick-about with some of his footballing friends. These moments of joy during such a difficult time are invaluable—and they happened because Mark made them happen.

The Telepathic Energy

What we treasure most about Mark's impact—what strikes us most profoundly during this difficult journey—is the effect his presence has on Aleks himself. Every time Aleks saw his favourite coach, or even just heard about him, he would decide to kick a ball. Even in hospital. Even whilst connected to medical devices. That telepathic energy, that instant transformation from patient back into a boy who loves football, is a gift we cannot adequately express.

Aleks always feels proud when he sees Mark fighting for him. Mark's presence gives Aleks extra energy, positivity, and puts a big smile on his face—with a bit of blushing on his cheeks. In the chaos of treatment schedules and hospital visits, these moments of pure childhood joy remind us that Aleks is still a six-year-old boy with dreams and passions beyond his diagnosis.

When Aleks had better periods between treatment cycles, Mark welcomed him back to the pitch with open arms—treating him like a rockstar, introducing him to other kids and players, getting him fully engaged with the team. This isn't just kindness; it's understanding what children facing cancer need most: to feel normal, to feel valued for who they are beyond their illness, to have something to look forward to that isn't medical.

Consistent Support Through the Grind

Mark has regularly messaged us and Aleks throughout treatment, genuinely interested in how Aleks is progressing and always offering any help he can provide. This consistent presence—not just during the big moments but through the grinding routine of treatment—has made an immense difference to our family. He's also given interviews at SE Dons FC, making pledges to support Aleks and spreading awareness about Ewing Sarcoma and the challenges young people face fighting this rare cancer. This advocacy work extends the impact far beyond our family, helping others understand what children like Aleks endure.

A Gift We Cannot Adequately Repay

As parents, we're profoundly grateful for what Mark has done for Aleks and our family. Thank you for always welcoming Aleks and making him feel comfortable, despite missing so many training sessions and meeting new players and coaches each time. Thank you for making training sessions something Aleks looks forward to—a precious gift when so much of his life has been dominated by hospital appointments and treatment. Thank you for your constant support, for checking on Aleks's progress, and for always offering help when we need it.

Because of Mark, Aleks has never felt like just a patient. He's remained a normal six-year-old boy who loves kicking a ball and playing with friends—and he's always looked forward to getting back on the pitch. That gift of normalcy during one of the toughest paediatric oncology treatments is something we can never adequately thank Mark for.

This is the essence of community support: a person who, despite demanding professional responsibilities, dedicates his own time to genuinely build confidence in children whilst allowing them to have fun and develop their skills. It's a noticeable presence we can always rely on, and it has made all the difference.

Local Club Support

We'd like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Baldon Sports for their incredible participation, support, and infectious energy at the charity match. Their enthusiasm and commitment to TeamAleks went above and beyond—they truly embraced the spirit of the event and brought remarkable energy to the pitch. We're also grateful to the youth coaches and Men's first team at FC Elmstead for participating and supporting the match. The game was a wonderful display of the grassroots football community coming together for Aleks, and their willingness to take to the pitch and play their hearts out means the world to our family.

A special thank you to SE Dons for featuring the TeamAleks fundraiser and helping spread awareness about Aleks's fight against Ewing Sarcoma to their community.

Chislehurst Wanderers FC has a dedicated page supporting TeamAleks and our fundraising efforts for The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity. Mark's involvement has made the fundraising much more successful than it otherwise would have been, amplifying the impact of our campaign and helping to fund vital cancer research and treatment. For families facing childhood cancer, having community champions like Mark reminds us we're not alone in this fight 🥊

Learn more about Chislehurst Wanderers FC: www.chislehurstwanderersfc.com

TeamAleks at Chislehurst Wanderers: Club support page

Support TeamAleks: JustGiving page managed by Mark