Southampton FC tribute in Stoke match to boy who died of cancer

Applause will ring around St Mary's Stadium in the seventh minute of the match against Stoke City for CJ Fenna, who died peacefully with a 'smile on his face' on April 11.

At half time, the seven-year-old from Sholing will be honoured with a formal tribute from the club.

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Johanna Lamb, 42, with Saints fan CJ (Image: UGC)His mum Johanna Lamb, 42, said: “He would have been overwhelmed. He was so grateful for all of the fundraising and for everyone trying to help him. He would be amazed.”

CJ's issues started at the end of 2021, when he began having trouble going to the toilet.

What was initially thought to be a sickness bug persisted throughout 2022, as his health declined.

In September of that year, CJ was taken to the opticians after Johanna noticed he was squinting - and he was then rushed to hospital where an MRI scan was carried out.

Doctors found brain swelling and tumorous fluid in his spine, and CJ's family were told the worst: he had a very rare form of cancer, known as a Diffuse Leptomeningeal Glioneuronal Tumour of Childhood.

“They didn’t really say too much because it was so rare", the grieving mum-of-three said. “It was a slowly-growing tumour, so he could have had it for quite some time.”

CJ, right, received a signed Saints shirt during his chemotherapy treatment (Image: UGC)

CJ's tumour was removed during major surgery. But the tumorous fluids remained in his brain and there was no cure, so he started the first of several types of chemotherapy in October 2022.

During the bouts of treatment, CJ was given a signed Saints shirt and James Ward-Prowse, his favourite Saints player, sent him a video message.

But by the end of 2023, CJ started having seizures and in February this year, the family were told there was not much more doctors could do.

The football enthusiast was taken to Naomi’s House, a children’s hospice.

Johanna said: “When he was transferred, we knew what was going to happen.

"We just spent as much time as possible, to make as many memories with him as possible.”

Throughout this period a fundraiser was launched to support the family financially and raised £3,792.

CJ died aged seven on April 11 (Image: UGC)After a 19-month battle, CJ died peacefully on April 11 with a “smile on his face”.

As well as his mum, CJ also leaves behind dad Christopher Fenna, 38, and siblings Reece Coine 13, Lewis Fenna, 17 and Libby Fenna, 15.

He will be having a Saints-themed funeral.

Johanna said: "I am forever grateful for what everyone has done. The fundraising enabled us to stay with CJ while he was having treatment.”