As some of you may know, in July, I was diagnosed with a brain tumour. I have been having regular treatment at Charing Cross Hospital, including a 15-hour operation to try and cut away some of the tumour. Unfortunately, they were only able to get a biopsy as the tumour is intertwined into the cranial nerves. If they tried to remove any more this could cause paralysis or even be fatal. I therefore am having 6 weeks of intensive radiotherapy in the hope of shrinking it. The staff at the hospital have been amazing, as has the support I have received from Macmillan Cancer Support.

I want to give something back to Macmillan to say thank you for all their help, particularly as they rely on donations to keep going. In order to do this, I am going to do “Brave the Shave”. This basically involves me shaving my head and getting sponsored to do so. I have been told that as the radiotherapy progresses that I will lose my hair in patches as a result of the laser treatment and so I thought that shaving my head was a good way to raise money.

Cancer is something which I always thought happened to other people and after I received my diagnosis it made me realise that anyone can get this horrible disease.

It is hard to explain what goes through your mind and the effect that it has had on me and my family. They have been amazing; my partner Dave has been so supportive and my children have made me so proud in the way they adapted to the massive changes in their life. I have not been able to be there for important events – such as my daughter’s first day at school, her fifth birthday and treat to Alton Towers. I would also like to thank my mum and sister for their invaluable help with school runs and sleepovers.

I think the worst part for me has been that I feel that I have not been able to be a “proper mum” to my children – the simple things that we take for granted – such as being able to cook them dinner, help with homework etc.

I therefore feel that as well as giving back to Macmillan Cancer Support for all their support that I would also like to give a treat to my children, something which I feel I have not been able to do for a long time.

Cancer puts a big strain on a family and I think that a way to ease this and make us feel whole again would be for us to be able to go away and spend some quality time together. Therefore, my plan is to give 50% of the money I raise to Macmillan Cancer Support and the other 50% will help us to be able to go away on a much-needed family holiday.

Any money you can give would be very gratefully received and I really appreciate you taking the time to read to the end of my story.