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Student’s dance recital in memory of his mother

Tom Wilkinson with his mother Karen Ashton

Tom Wilkinson, a second year dance student at the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (LIPA), put on two dance performances with his course mates on Tuesday 12 and Wednesday 13 January 2010 at LIPA in memory of his mother, who he recently lost to oesophageal cancer.

Tom, aged 21, organised the shows in the hope of raising awareness of Barrett’s Oesophagus and to advise anyone suffering with frequent heartburn and acid reflux to visit the doctor.

Choreography by Tom Wilkinson - Image Amy Tomlinson

Tom’s mother, Karen Ashton was just 52 when she died in July 2009 and it is believed that she suffered from Barrett’s Oesophagus which then developed into cancer.

Tom said: “After my mum died, lots of people asked me about oesophageal cancer. The condition is not well known like breast cancer or skin cancer.

“Before my mum was diagnosed with cancer, she was in a lot of pain. When I was researching the illness, I came across Barrett’s Oesophagus Campaign and wanted to help the raise awareness of the illness and the charity.”