A student at Humphry Davy School will drum for 12 hours in support of Sunrise Appeal, following mum’s cancer diagnosis.

Year 7 student Jack James will take part in a 12 hours long ‘Drumathon’ on Wednesday, February 12, with the hope of raising £1,000 for two charities, one of which is the Sunrise Appeal.

Last summer, Jack’s mother Dawn was diagnosed with breast cancer, turning the family’s lives upside down.

As a passionate drummer, Jack has used music as a huge source of comfort during this time, and has now decided to use his talents in a fundraiser for the charities supporting his family.

“Jack is an inspiration”, said Matthew Street, Director of music & head of Creative Arts at Humphry Davy School.

“Throughout this difficult time he’s thrown himself into his passion for music, and the school is extremely proud that he’s using his love of drumming to raise vital funds for the Royal Cornwall Hospitals Charity and the Sunrise Appeal.”

Janet Shephard, Liam Shaw, Jack James, and Dawn Cooper
Janet Shephard, Liam Shaw, Jack James, and Dawn Cooper (Submitted)

The Sunrise Appeal was started in 2000, with the aim of raising £500,000 to support efforts to bring pioneering cancer treatment to the Royal Cornwall Hospital - with the Sunrise Centre being officially opened in 2002.

To date, the charity has distributed £2.9-million into the Sunrise Centre to ensure the department maintains its state-of-the-art status. In 2025, the Sunrise Appeal is celebrating its 25th year anniversary, and continues to fundraise to ensure that world-class cancer treatment is available for all in Cornwall.

Janet Shephard, co-founder and trustee of the Sunrise Appeal, said: “We are so excited that Jack will be taking on this amazing challenge, and are so grateful for his support of the Sunrise Appeal, especially during what is an incredibly difficult time for him and his family.

“In our 25th year, we continue to be overwhelmed by the generosity of the Cornish community, and it’s brave people like Jack that allow us to continue the important work we do. Good luck, Jack!”

Jack’s ‘Drumathon’ will take place in the Humphry Davy School gym from 7am-7pm on February 12, where he will be cheered on by friends and the school community.

To find out more or to donate to Jack’s ‘Drumathon’ fundraiser, visit his Just Giving page.