St Paul’s bells ring in memory of the 253 children lost to cancer every year
10 Sep 2025, 9:56 a.m.
September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. Yesterday, the historic bells at St Paul's Cathedral rang out in memory of the 253 children lost to cancer each year in the UK.
For many families facing a cancer diagnosis the end of treatment bell is a powerful milestone, signifying hope, progress and the start of a new chapter. But, tragically, too many children never reach that milestone.
That’s why, together with St Paul’s, we invited families whose children didn’t get a chance to ring the bell to have the the opportunity to pay a heartfelt tribute to their child’s life.
Great Tom chiming to mark Childhood Cancer Awareness Month
The ceremony began in the morning with the ringing of Great Tom, the bell that chimes to mark the deaths of monarchs and statespeople. One of the last times the bell was tolled manually was to mark the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
Families who have lost children to cancer then rang further cathedral bells throughout the morning.
The Reverend Philip Banks, Canon Precentor at St Paul’s Cathedral, said:
“Great Tom has tolled to mark numerous significant moments in our nation’s history. So today we are deeply honoured that it is chiming to mark Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, and that bereaved families will chime bells in the North West Tower in memory of their children.
“We pray that this will provide these families with an opportunity to reflect and to remember, and that there will be a future when every child facing a cancer diagnosis can have the chance to ring their own end of treatment bell.”
'Reminding the world that she lived and that she will never be forgotten’
Among those at St Paul’s was Adam, pictured at the top of this page, ringing the bell in memory of his daughter Orla.
Orla was diagnosed with medulloblastoma, a rare cancerous brain tumour, in September 2022 after falling ill on holiday. She underwent multiple surgeries and months of chemotherapy at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH), spending her second birthday and Christmas on the ward, but sadly passed away in August 2023.
“Standing in St Paul’s and ringing the bell for Orla was incredibly emotional,” Adam says. “Orla was so amazing, beautiful, brave and endured so much for someone so young, and we carry her spirit with us every day.
“To be able to stand here in St Paul's, ringing the bell for her alongside others who have faced the same loss, is so important and such a special way of remembering our beautiful girl, reminding the world that she lived and that she will never be forgotten.”
Butterfly installation encircling St Paul’s
Butterflies are often a powerful symbol of hope, associated with the souls of loved ones who have passed on, bringing comfort and guidance to many.
On the morning of the bell ringing we organised for an installation of 253 colourful butterfly sculptures – each representing a child lost to cancer – to appear on Millennium Bridge, which leads to St Paul’s.
It served as a reminder that cancer is still the biggest killer of children aged one to 14 in the UK.
Maris, whose son Frank passed away in 2019
Watch our video capturing the day
Help us build the future of children’s cancer care
This Childhood Cancer Awareness Month we're shining a light on the urgent need for a new Children’s Cancer Centre at GOSH, which we're raising vital funds for through our £300 million Build it. Beat it. appeal.
GOSH already treats the highest number of children with cancer in the UK, but recent advances have outstripped its current facilities and it needs a new home to deliver breakthrough treatments.
The new cancer centre will bring together pioneering research, cutting-edge treatments and child-centred care under one roof – giving more families the hope of ringing the end of treatment bell and ensuring every child gets the best chance and childhood possible.
