Community fulfils 17-year-old Doctor Who super-fan’s bucket-list dream 

Chepstow, a small town in Wales, has raised over £5,000 on JustGiving to buy a real BBC Dalek for Doctor Who superfan, Noah Herniman, who was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour at the age of 15. 

In 2021, Noah was diagnosed with neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1), a genetic condition that causes tumours to grow along your nerves.  

Soon after his diagnosis, Noah decided to write a bucket list, and as a self-proclaimed Doctor Who expert, number one on his list was to meet his hero and favourite Doctor, David Tennant – adream that is yet to come to fruition. 

Second on Noah’s list is owning a BBC licensed Dalek, sold at the price of £4,500. 

Sadly, in June 2021, Noah and his family received the heartbreaking news that he had developed a type of brain tumour called a glioma that had wrapped itself around his brain stem, making it inoperable.  

Due to the location of the brain tumour, its growth could be life threatening, and Noah underwent 74 weeks of debilitating chemotherapy to attempt to stabilise its size, leaving Noah in a wheelchair, weak and fatigued.  

Unfortunately, the tumour proceeded to grow and Noah is now currently undertaking a further 80 weeks of chemotherapy.  

The emotional and financial impact this has had on Noah’s family has been huge, with both of his parents having to balance demanding work schedules with Noah’s regular medical appointments in Cardiff, an hour away from home.  

However, having known Noah and his family for over six years, Angela Jones, the family liaison officer at Noah’s old secondary school, wanted to help Noah tick something off his bucket list and bring his family some joy during this difficult period.  

Angela, then led the charge for raising money on JustGiving to buy Noah a real Doctor Who Dalek.  

From the age of seven, Noah has shown an unwavering determination to help others by supporting causes like anti-bullying initiatives, Welsh homelessness programs, women’s shelters and more.  

In May 2023, Noah came up with the idea of ‘Noah’s Retreat’ and by July, he had raised £60,000 to purchase a holiday home which he gifted to a children’s cancer charity, a retreat that now provides families of children with cancer a chance to holiday and create cherished memories.     

Angela Jones said: “Noah’s story is heartbreaking. I got to know him whilst I was his family’s liaison officer at his secondary school and grew a strong bond with him and his family, who are so lovely. 

“Noah is such a funny, quirky boy with a sparky personality who never asks for anything for himself and is constantly doing things to help others in need. He is absolutely unstoppable and that is why I want to be able to do this for him.  

“No 17-year-old should be writing a bucket list, but we hope we can reach our target of £4,500 and help someone as deserving as Noah get his dream of owning his own Dalek.” 

Pascale Harvie, President and General Manager of JustGiving said: “Noah’s story is heartbreaking, and my thoughts are with him and his family as he bravely starts another round of chemotherapy.  

“Noah is such a selfless and strong young man, and it is so heartwarming to see that after all of his fundraising efforts, his community are returning all the love and support he deserves through this wonderful fundraiser by Angela. 

“I hope Noah gets to tick off the rest of his bucket list very soon.” 

To contribute to Noah’s cause, click here. 

NOTES TO EDITOR

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About JustGiving
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