This page is a continuation of last years fundraising.

We are raising vital funds for local children’s cancer charities: 💛 Jack's Journey 💛 Jessica's Sarcoma Awareness 💛 Luke's Life Legacy 💛 and Danica's Dream Fund.

Continued support this year, 2026 is a beach sports day event in Tynemouth, 25th July.

Thank you for your continued support.

Thursday, January 1st, 2026 – 11am. Meet at Charltons Bar, Cambois 📍

Start the new year with a splash! 💦

Join us for Connor’s 5th Annual New Year’s Day Dip – a tradition filled with fun, community spirit, and purpose.

After the dip, warm up at Charltons with drinks, broth, and plenty of cheer as we celebrate together. This event is more than just a dip in the sea – it’s a chance to make a difference. We are raising vital funds for local children’s cancer charities: 💛 Jack's Journey 💛 Jessica's Sarcoma Awareness 💛 Luke's Life Legacy 💛 Danica's Dream Fund and 💛The Sir Bobby Robson Foundation.

All in loving memory of our beautiful son, Connor, who we heartbreakingly lost to brain cancer in 2021 at just 15 years old. His spirit continues to inspire us every day. By taking part and donating, you’ll be helping to support children and families facing the toughest battles. Together, we can bring hope, strength, and brighter futures.

✨ Your support means everything – let’s make 2026 Connor’s biggest and best dip yet! ✨

Connor’s Story.

Connor was diagnosed with a Central Nervous System Medulloblastoma brain tumour on the 23rd of March 2020, lockdown day. The tumour was in the lower part of his brain, the area that controls muscle coordination, balance, and movement. By the time it was discovered, the cancer had already spread down his spine.

We’d been back and forth to the GP, only to be sent home with a bottle of Gaviscon and told he had reflux syndrome, or that maybe he just didn’t want to go to school. Because of this delay, Connor went from being a strong, active 13-year-old rugby player to losing the use of his lower body within days, as the tumour growth caused spinal compression.

His first brain surgery removed as much of the tumour as possible, but it left Connor unable to speak clearly, walk, or coordinate his hand movements, and he suffered double vision. He then underwent emergency radiotherapy to shrink the tumours in his spine. The risks were terrifying, paralysis, spinal damage, even death, but we had no choice if we wanted to save his life. Miraculously, it worked, and he was able to continue with six more weeks of high-dose radiotherapy. The treatment was brutal, testing Connor’s strength and endurance every single day.

During this time, Connor developed hydrocephalus, fluid building in the brain due to blocked ventricles, and began having seizures. A shunt was fitted to drain fluid from his brain into his stomach. It blocked repeatedly, and each time he needed further surgery. In total, over 19 months, Connor endured 18 surgeries on his brain and spine.

Next came high-dose chemotherapy. It was unimaginably hard on him, both physically and mentally. He spent around four months in hospital, and because of Covid restrictions only his dad and I were allowed in, taking turns by his bedside. The chemotherapy destroyed his bone marrow, so after each cycle he needed a bone marrow transplant using his own stem cells, which had been harvested before treatment. During the third round, Connor’s body couldn’t take any more, he went into heart failure and had to be placed in an induced coma. Doctors decided it was too dangerous to continue, and he was switched to a less harsh oral chemotherapy tablet for six months.

By March 2021, Connor was determined to regain his strength. He was ready to ditch the wheelchair, crutches, and zimmer frame, and he wanted to help others facing the same journey. He set himself the goal of walking 20 miles that month to raise money for children’s cancer charities. For Connor, every step was a mountain, but he did it, and raised nearly £18,000. His determination inspired everyone around him.

But just as his strength was returning, in June 2021 we were given the devastating news that the cancer was back in his spine. We were told it was now terminal, just months left. Surgery was performed to remove part of the tumour, to give him some quality time. Without it, he would have been paralysed from the head down within weeks.

We were blessed with three more precious months with our boy. Connor passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by his family, we cuddled him as he fell asleep forever at the age of 15.

Connor was the most special, funny, courageous, and kind-hearted person I have ever known. He had a heart of gold, a wicked sense of humour, and an attitude that made the unbearable somehow easier for everyone around him. His motto became ours, “One more step.” When things were tough, he’d ask, “Can I take one more step?” And the answer was always yes.

It is only in the last 4 years since we lost Connor that I have truly realised how little progress has been made in brain tumour care. When Connor was first diagnosed and undergoing treatment, I had no idea about the chronic lack of funding, research, and development in this area. Most of the treatments he endured were the same harsh methods used 40 to 50 years ago, relying on radiotherapy and chemotherapy with devastating side effects and very little improvement in outcomes.

In other countries, more advanced treatments already exist, yet families here in the UK are unable to access them without raising hundreds of thousands of pounds to go abroad. Parents are being forced to fundraise or even sell their homes in a desperate attempt to give their child a chance at life. This is not how it should be.

Connor’s story shows the urgent need for change. No child should have to go through what he endured, and no family should be left with the same heartbreak we now live with every day.

Clair (Connor’s Mam)