I’m Vicki, mummy to two beautiful children, Harry, now 9, and Millie, 4.

In February 2022, aged just 5, Harry was diagnosed with a Medulloblastoma, an aggressive cancerous brain tumour.

In the weeks leading up to his diagnosis, we had noticed he was occasionally off balance and was sick one day each week. We visited our GP twice and were referred to paediatrics for reassurance, but Harry was diagnosed before that appointment ever came.

On the day of his diagnosis, we received a call from Harry’s school to say he had sat down in the reading corner and was unable to stand back up. After a long wait in A&E, he had a scan late that night, and the “Goblin”, as Harry calls it, was discovered.

And so our journey began.

Harry underwent emergency surgery within hours. Surgeons spent over 10 hours removing the tumour. His recovery was slow, and after developing Posterior Fossa Syndrome, he lost his ability to speak and walk.

After a mad dash to get Millie a passport, she was just 5 weeks old, four weeks after surgery the NHS flew us to Germany where Harry received 31 sessions of proton beam therapy, before returning to Leeds to begin chemotherapy.

Now 9, Harry has had some clear scans. Although he faces lifelong challenges and can get easily frustrated, he smiles every single day. He has already overcome more in the last few years than most will, or should, in a lifetime. He is a true fighter, always the joker, and simply an amazing, beautiful little boy.

Harry will forever be my inspiration. His courage and infectious smile keep us all strong. Our gratitude to the doctors and nurses cannot be put into words. The treatment Harry and children like him receive has not significantly changed in decades. It is not designed specifically for children and can result in lifelong, debilitating consequences.

That is why I have decided to take on a new challenge to raise funds for research, to help find more effective and kinder treatments for children facing brain tumours.

In May 2026, I will be canoeing 100km across Scotland, from Fort William to Loch Ness. It will be a huge physical and mental challenge, and I will be doing it alongside some absolutely fabulous people I met last year while fundraising for brain tumour research when we trekked the Sahara together , collecting raiding over 90k.

I am not underestimating how tough this will be, but Harry is my why and will keep me going every paddle of the way. He is already excited to hear all about my adventure.

Andy and I have funded my place ourselves, so every single penny raised will go directly towards vital brain tumour research.

Thank you so much for your support, it truly means the world to our family.

The group:

We met while trekking 50K across the Sahara in March last year. Raising over £90K alongside seven others. Each of our lives touched in some way by brain tumours.

The bond between us grew strong. We are now taking on a new and exciting challenge. 100K Canoe across Scotland. From Fort William to Inverness over 5 days. Wild Camping on the banks of lochs along the way.

Say 'Hello' to our Team 😊

Claire, Hariette, Hannah, Vicki, Hayley, Amy, Sarah and Gary 💛🩷

One in three people in the UK knows someone affected by a brain tumour. This disease is indiscriminate; it can affect anyone at any age. Brain tumours kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer yet just 1% of the national spend on cancer research has been allocated to this devastating disease since records began.