This is our beautiful young man; Callum…. he has just turned 17, has a real passion for football and like most teenagers he likes to enjoy life and have fun! Unfortunately that fun came to a sudden halt last year, our lives were thrown into turmoil and nothing could prepare us for what came next.

On 7th July 2016, only 6 hours after booking into A&E we found ourselves in the back of an ambulance being blue lighted to Kings College Hospital in London. An MRI had revealed a brain tumour (Pilocytic Astrocytoma) the size of a golf ball in the centre of Callum’s brain and he underwent life saving surgery to have it removed. Callum recovered well from his surgery and after a few months he started to get a sense of normality back in his life, returning to school to undertake his GCSE’s and playing football.

In October this year during a routine follow-up, we heard those dreaded words... ‘it’s back'. That sickening feeling once again crept over us as Callum’s surgeon confirmed that his tumour had returned and was growing again. Options of chemotherapy and further complex surgery were discussed but the risks do not bear thinking about and these are not options I think anyone would want to take if there was a less invasive treatment available. That treatment is Proton Beam Therapy (PBT) however, this is currently only offered in the USA and treatment is daily for a period of anything up to 3 months. The NHS funds quite a few cases each year, obviously we are eternally grateful for what they have done for Callum so far and we would consider ourselves extremely lucky if they agree to fund Callum’s PBT treatment.

In the meantime, whilst we wait for funding approval, we are attempting to raise funds towards all the other costs associated with Callum’s treatment; flights, accommodation, insurance, transport to and from daily treatment, living expenses and generally trying to make the long time away from home as comfortable as possible for Callum during this challenging process. Trying to work out finances and time off work for 3 months when 1 of us is self employed is a challenge in its self! Callum has a younger brother; Lewan who we also have to consider in all this. We are trying to keep us together as a family as much as possible during this time to give Callum all the love and support he needs during this emotional rollercoaster we currently find ourselves riding. We cannot express in words how much we appreciate any help you are able to offer. Asking for donations is not something that sits entirely comfortable with us but without fundraising we will not be able to take Callum for his PBT treatment. Should any funds be left over or not used for Callum’s treatment these will be donated to his chosen charity.

To our family, friends and colleagues - please keep an eye out for the additional fundraising events we will be organising in the next few months, as most of you who know Callum will know that these will probably involve football and golf!! It's important to us all that you will be able to enjoy a few fun filled days/evenings with us leading up to the long trip to the USA. We will, of course, update you with Callum's progress along the way.

Thank you for helping us to keep Callum smiling!