When she was just 14 months old, our daughter Octavia was diagnosed with a brain tumour.

In the days leading up to her diagnosis, she had been irritable, not eating, not sleeping and occasionally vomiting. She was displaying all the typical symptoms of a teething baby.

She began to deteriorate quickly and was admitted to the local hospital. Three days later and every parent’s worst nightmare came true when a CT scan showed a 4cm tumour in the middle of her brain and we were told she was dying and had only days to live.

Within hours of the diagnosis, Octavia was transferred to Kings College Hospital and placed under the care of paediatric neurosurgeon Dr Bassel Zebian.

Dr Zebian and his team performed the first of three surgeries to remove the tumour using a new and pioneering technique. Unlike traditional forms of brain surgery which often require the removal of healthy brain tissue, this method minimises trauma to the brain and reduces the risk of future disabilities and side effects by making a tiny 8mm incision through the brain.

Three surgeries and 12 months after her first surgery, Octavia has made a full recovery and is living proof the Dr Zebian’s technique not only saves the life of the patient, it gives them their life back and in Octavia’s case, the chance to lead a completely normal life.

The uniquely modified Neuro Endoscopy is a key piece of equipment used in all three of Octavia’s surgeries and without it, Octavia’s story would be very different. Unfortunately, Kings only have one of these Neuro Endoscopies which means there is a risk it’s not always immediately available for emergency cases like Octavia and limits the number of patients that can be treated and doctors that can be trained.

We can never repay the debt of gratitude we owe Dr Zebian and the team at Kings College Hospital for saving Octavia’s life but we would like to try by helping them save more lives. The night before surgery we walked Octavia up and down the hospital corridors for 12 hours t keep her calm. That’s why on 10th May, exactly one year from Octavia’s last surgery, we will be re-living the 12 hours of overnight walking l by walking 50km from Kent to London to raise £15,000 needed to buy Kings College Hospital a second modified Neuro Endoscopy.

If you would also like to help, please follow the link to donate to help give other children like Octavia, a second chance at life.

Thank You