‘I want Leo to be remembered for the boy he was’: Says mum of Hemel five-year-old who died from rare brain cancer
The mum of Leo Rogers, a five-year-old from Hemel Hempstead who died from a rare brain cancer, has said she wants him to be “remembered for the boy he was.”
Leo’s funeral took place on Friday October 23, with the town coming out in force to pay their respects as he was given a fitting send-off, which included a convoy of motorbikes, a specially engraved Spiderman coffin and a white horse-drawn carriage with Spider-Man drapes over the horses.
Explaining the events that Led to Leo’s cancer diagnosis his mum Holly Finch told the Gazette: “In July 2025, just 10 days after Leo’s fourth birthday, I took him to hospital because he was suffering from sickness.
“Before his diagnosis, Leo had also been experiencing behavioural difficulties.
“At the time, I thought he might have a severe case of ADHD, but we would eventually discover that these difficulties were symptoms of a devastating brain tumour.
“Leo was diagnosed with medulloblastoma group four, an aggressive form of brain cancer.
“He had a tumour the size of a golf ball in his cerebellum, three smaller tumours across his brain, two tumours in his spine, and a dangerous build-up of fluid in his brain.
“Leo underwent multiple operations, including surgery to remove part of his main tumour and another operation to insert a device to drain the fluid building up in his brain.
“Following everything his little body had endured he had to learn how to walk and talk again.
“There was a long period when he couldn’t eat and had to receive his nutrition through a feeding pump directly into his stomach.”
Holly added that Leo was “so much more than cancer”, saying: “He was a loving, funny, cheeky little boy who was always smiling and trying to make people happy.
“He had a beautiful personality and a smile that could brighten a room. Cancer took so much away from him, but it could never take away who he was.
“His sister, Bonnie, was his best friend. They did everything together, and the bond they shared was something truly special.
“They were inseparable, and one of the hardest parts of losing Leo is knowing that Bonnie has lost her best friend, too.”
Through support from different agencies and a fundraising page that Holly created, she was able to take her children on memorable trips, including to Center Parcs and Port Lympne Safari Park in Kent.
Spider-Man was a great passion of Leo’s, and Holly said she wanted to make his funeral as special as possible, and fitting of the superhero qualities her son had shown as he courageously battled the illness he went through.
“I arranged for Leo to have a specially engraved Spider-Man coffin, alongside a beautiful white horse-drawn carriage with Spider-Man drapes over the horses,” Holly said.
“His uncle James went above and beyond to help make the day unforgettable, arranging for more than 100 motorbikes to attend.
“We also had the New York Police Department car and fire truck from the Spider-Man film, hundreds of balloons, and four beautiful white doves.
“I arranged Spider-Man and Captain America floral tributes, too, to bring together the things Leo loved most.
“I would also like to give a very special thank you to Kayleigh, who works at the Co-op, for helping me plan Leo’s final farewell.
“She helped me make the day personal and meaningful, ensuring that it truly reflected Leo and everything he loved.”
The convoy of motorbikes, organised by Leo’s uncle James Thomas, came from all over the country, and featured a mixture of superbikes, cruisers and other members of the biking community.
Members of the bike convoy wore red, blue and superhero clothing, starting at Gadebridge Park and making their way through the town.
Following the funeral service, held at St Mary’s Church, hundreds of red, white and blue balloons were released into the sky.
Holly added: “Leo’s funeral was a celebration of his life, his favourite superhero, his courage, and the love that surrounded him.
“It was a day that brought so many people together for one very special little boy, and I know it will never be forgotten by those who were there.
“Although my heart is broken, I am incredibly proud of my son.
“I am proud of the fight he put up, the memories we made together, and the way he continued to show love and happiness throughout everything he endured.
“Leo may no longer be physically here with us, but he will always be part of our family. He will always be Bonnie’s best friend, my beautiful boy, and our real-life superhero.
“I want his story to remind people that children with cancer are so much more than their diagnosis.
“They are children with personalities, dreams, favourite characters, families, and futures that should never have been taken away from them.”