The Beginning
On 3 August 2008, Ruddi Waterworth-Jones was born — a happy, smiley baby adored by his parents. He thrived and met every milestone until six and a half months old, when weeks of worry led Ali to Huddersfield Royal Infirmary. After 14 weeks in hospital, Ruddi was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare cancer of the bladder and prostate. He was the youngest child ever diagnosed with this type.

Ruddi endured six months of chemotherapy and became the first UK child to travel to Jacksonville on the NHS for pioneering proton beam therapy. His tumour measured 10cm — huge in such a small body. After it shrank, he had an eight-hour operation to remove it, along with his bladder and prostate. He was fitted with a permanent urostomy bag and a tube for medication.

During treatment, a regional charity sent the family to Primrose Valley in Filey. There, Ruddi took his first steps. Doctors had warned he might never walk due to treatment-related rickets, making this moment feel miraculous.

The break changed everything. Ali, who had given up work to care for Ruddi, knew many families facing childhood cancer live on one income while costs rise — travel, hospital food, parking and specialist clothing. Holidays become impossible, yet are often what families need most.

Ali founded Ruddi’s Retreat to provide free respite breaks from diagnosis through treatment, remission and, heartbreakingly, bereavement. Where many services stop after treatment, theirs continues.

Our Mission Today
For 12 years, Ruddi’s Retreat has supported families across the UK. Five caravans have welcomed over 4,000 families. The charity continues to grow while staying true to its mission: creating spaces where healing happens, community thrives and every story matters.

Today, Ruddi is thriving. He studies musical theatre, is signed to an inclusive modelling agency and works part-time at his café, “Ruddi’s,” in Slaithwaite — proudly sharing his story.

Ruddi's Retreat

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