Matt's Story

Matt’s Canaan Trust was founded to honour the memory of Matthew Leitch, who died from a rare, malignant brain tumour weeks before his 14th birthday in 2002.

Whilst nursing Matthew full-time for 17 months at home, his mum and dad, Mark and Lynette discovered what a challenging task that was. When a loved one, especially a child, is seriously ill, family carers are often unable or unwilling to take a break from the bedside of the patient.

During his illness, they dreamed of helping other families with loved-ones suffering from life-limiting illnesses to have precious time together, away from their gruelling daily schedules. With Matt’s approval, they planned to set up a charity to offer dream breaks and holidays to those in similar situations.

Tragically, Matthew died before seeing this dream become a reality, but his memory lives on as his devoted parents seek to share something of his life and compassionate nature with others.

“The one crucial thing we can do for them after their death is to let them be witnesses for God and for life.” – Harold S Kushner – ‘When Bad Things Happen To Good People’.

Matt’s Canaan Trust is the continuing story of a truly remarkable and caring boy...

Mark & Lynette Leitch – Matt's Canaan Trust

Read The Full Story

Infinity and Beyond by Lynette Leitch can now be purchased online!

"This book is absolutely compelling. It's a real life story of a mum and dad’s agony at losing their only son. The real heroes in life are those that find grace in the darkest places. Here you will find two extraordinary examples of this."

Martin Smith
Singer/Songwriter – Deliriou5?

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