I, along with some of the staff from Community Kids where Ava attends preschool are taking part in an ultra 50k challenge in Minehead on 3rd August. We are raising money for The Brain Tumour Charity, a charity close to our hearts as my daughter was recently diagnosed with a Brain Tumour. Brain tumours are the biggest cancer killer of children and adults under 40.

My story..

"22nd June 2023 my world was turned upside down.

Ava, my strong, happy, sassy, beautiful little girl was admitted to hospital as she was displaying some concerning symptoms. Vomiting, squinting her eyes, unbalanced in her walking, unusual tiredness and sleeping all day. The hospital took her for an MRI, and within 1 minute of returning from the scanner I was whisked away to a private room full of doctors, consultants, and nurses.

The diagnosis. Brain tumour.

The size of an apricot, tiny when you hold it in your adult hand, but MASSIVE when you compare it to the size of my 2-year-old daughter’s brain. My world shattered. We were blue lighted to Bristol Childrens Hospital where we were told to say goodbye to Ava as she was having emergency life saving surgery to alleviate the pressure in her brain. We didn’t know what was going to happen, we didn’t know if Ava was going to survive. Several hours passed and at 3am Ava returned from surgery with a drain coming out of her head. Little did we know this was only the first out of multiple surgeries she would have to have.

Ava was diagnosed with Hydrocephalus and a low grade Pilocytic Astrocytoma. Usually these brain tumours have a higher chance of survival following complete removal during surgery, however the location of this tumour was too close to the brain stem to remove fully without causing Ava permanent disability in her limbs. This tumour would need to be managed for the rest of her life.

Ava's surgery was successful, the surgeon's removed 95% of the tumour and there were no long lasting mobility issues- she was eating ice cream within an hour of returning to our room. But following a short period of recovery at home, the tumour uncharacteristically grew back which absolutely destroyed me. Ava had already survived her first major brain surgery, we were dicing with death again. Ava returned and had a second very successful surgery in November 2023, her incredible surgeons managed to remove almost the same amount as before.

She is now undertaking a gruelling 18 month course of Chemotherapy to manage the remaining tumour. She's coping fairly well with this, but has resulted in the usual side effects - hair loss, sickness, weakness in her limbs. We are admitted to hospital almost monthly at the moment with sepsis risks and infections due to her weakened immune system. And throughout the pain and fear of chemo that she goes through, she continues to smile and laugh, and be her usual cheeky self."

Ava overcomes so many challenges every day and week, that I think it’s time for me to overcome one for her, and for every other child going through this devastating diagnosis.

Please if you could spare any money to donate to this amazing charity- they have provided so much support, guidance and help to Ava and I over the last 10 months. We need to do everything we can to help understand and know more about Brain Tumours, and save more lives. I would be extremely grateful.

* Brain tumours are the biggest cancer killer of children and adults under 40.

* Over 12,000 people are diagnosed each year with a primary brain tumour, including 500 children and young people – that’s 33 people every day

* Research offers the only real hope of dramatic improvements in the management and treatment of brain tumours. Over £700m is spent on cancer research in the UK every year, yet less than 3% is spent on brain tumours

The Charity:

The Brain Tumour Charity is the world's leading brain tumour charity and the largest dedicated funder of research into brain tumours globally. Committed to saving and improving lives, we're moving further, faster to help every single person affected by a brain tumour.

We're set on finding new treatments, offering the highest level of support and driving urgent change. And we're doing it right now. Because we understand that when you, or someone you love, is diagnosed with a brain tumour a cure really can't wait.