Myself and 16 other “future fitters” will be climbing Snowdon to raise money for The Brain Tumour Charity. For one of the climber’s in particular this is a charity very close to her heart, her late husband Scott & mother-in-law, Lesley.

We are also climbing for Ben a local boy who at just 2 years old was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumour. After many years of treatment he is continuing to recover & continues to improve, thanks to the help of charities such as The Brain Tumour Charity.

Finally for Harry, who lost his battle at just 24. Harry was a young ambassador for The Brain Tumour Charity. Harry we will continue to raise awareness & money for a cause you worked tirelessly for.

Please take the time to read their stories.

Claire’s Words

In September 2025, I will be climbing Snowdon with an incredible group of ladies to raise money for The Brain Tumour Charity, in memory of my late husband, Scott, and our beloved Bella's dad. We lost Scott to his brave battle with a brain tumour in July 2014.

Back in 2006, Scott was diagnosed with a brain tumour, despite this life-altering diagnosis, he continued to live life to the fullest. He ran a half marathon and organised numerous events to raise funds for Brain Tumour Research, hoping to find a cure. Through his unwavering determination and positivity, Scott raised over £25,000 for various brain tumour charities, all while undergoing multiple surgeries, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy.

Tragically, during this challenging time, we received more devastating news. Scott's mum fell ill, and we were heartbroken to learn that she too had been diagnosed with a brain tumour. She lost her battle after just eight short months.

Scott and Lesley have left an irreplaceable void in our lives. As we take on this climb, I am certain they will be looking down on us with pride. Any donations, no matter how small or large, are deeply appreciated.

Susanna’s Words

After several trips to A&E Ben was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumour in 2016 aged just 2.5 years. The tumour was the size of a satsuma and he must have endured horrendous headaches - when I think about how he must have felt and being unable to communicate, it makes me feel sick with guilt.

He was immediately blue lighted to Addenbrooke’s where he endured an 8.5 hour operation to remove the tumour. The operation was a success, although we were not prepared for the aftermath. Ben was in intensive care for 3 days after which I naively thought he would be sitting up in bed chatting away but he was not, he was unable to move, swallow, speak and hated being touched. He cried constantly and it was harrowing to see him like this. We were advised that he had severe posterior fossa syndrome but that he would continue to recover.

Ben did, thanks to the support we had and have from the physios and speech and language therapists. However, treatment began with chemotherapy - 5 rounds followed by a stem cell transplant and 6 weeks in isolation. It was an intensive course involving 5 drugs each round. I was never prepared for how poorly he would become, the constant sickness, ulcers on his bottom, throat and mouth, IV feed which involved numerous blood sugar prick checks, constant injections of G-CSF to encourage his bone marrow to produce blood cells, constant bed changes as his nappies could not cope with thesheer amount of liquid being pumped into his little body, the Hickman line to administer chemotherapy, blood and platelets and his feeding tube. In the final round we had to bath him every 2 hours, 24 hours a day as the drug burnt the skin when it was excreted. I could go on!!! To say that chemo was horrific is an understatement.

The good news is that Ben is continuing to improve, but he is still struggles with fine motor skills and has some facial paralysis. There is also the concern that the tumour could return, so he has a routine MRI yearly.

Lyn’s Words

Harry was diagnosed with a grade 3 brain tumour in January 2022 undergoing surgery two weeks later. This was followed by numerous sessions of radiotherapy and endless chemotherapy. During all his treatment, which was constant, Harry remained upbeat and positive and was always smiling, saying “it could be worse”.

Following his diagnosis Harry dedicated himself to raising awareness and funds to improve the lives of others affected by a brain tumour becoming a Young Ambassador for The Brain Tumour Charity in March 2024.

Sadly, after nearly three years Harry lost his battle with this cruel disease aged 24.

Harry's passing serves as a reminder of why fund raising events like this are so important and every donation no matter how small all helps, so that all of those affected by a brain tumour can live longer and better lives.

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.