Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

I wrote the below blurb for our Follow the Seagulls adventure which was supposed to take place last weekend. Sadly due to covid 19, the whole event has been postponed to September at least, but on the plus side for us, that hopefully means we can now participate again as we were uncertain about how Seth's health would be in April.

Obviously our circumstances have changed substantially since I wrote the original justgiving piece. Sadly Seth has relapsed and has undergone surgery for a second tumour removal plus having his portacath refitted and chemo begins tomorrow. We've been told this is palliative, complete cure is unlikely (although possible) and we're just making the most of the time we have, however long or short that might be. 

So given current circumstances, we thought we'd put the time to good use and try and up our fundraising for the brainstrust, who like all small charities, are struggling right now. We know times are tough for us all but if everyone we know could find it in their hearts and bank balances to donate just £1, we'd raise a heap of cash for them.

Although we are still hoping that at least one of us will be able to participate in Follow the Seagulls, we will have to see how things are with treatment at the time. So we thought for now, we'd best not let Seth go bald alone again and kick off the fundraising with a family head shave...photos to follow!

Thanks again everyone for the continuing support, much love from team Dickenson!

Unless you've been hiding under a very large rock for the past two years. you'll already know our story but just in case.....

Our youngest son Seth, then aged 4, was diagnosed with a medullablastoma brain tumour on 20th December 2017. Thanks to the amazing neuro team at King's College Hospital, the tumour was completely removed but further scans showed early signs of metastasis to his spine. His treatment was transferred to the Royal Marsden Hospital where he underwent aggressive radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Happily he was declared disease free in October 2018 and rang the end of treatment bell. Scans since then have remained NED (no evidence of disease) and we pray it stays that way.

Throughout our journey, we have had the overwhelming support of family and friends without whom we'd have been completely lost. We've also been supported by the wonderful folk at the brainstrust, a small charity providing support and advice for families affected by brain tumours. This can be by providing a voice at the end of the phone to listen and support, workshops for coping with the aftermath of a brain tumour diagnosis such as handling fatigue, nutrition and anxiety and social meet ups. Brain tumours, like all cancers, are frightening and can be very isolating and the brainstrust work to ensure no one fights alone.

Last April, we undertook Follow the Seagulls in Dartmouth, a 2 day, 50 mile trek to raise funds to support the brainstrusts work. This year, we will undertake the same challenge, this time in Whitby. We know it's a tough challenge but in comparison to the battle Seth and other brain tumour patients have had, it's really nothing. We had the most amazing experience last year and met some wonderful people. We can't wait to take on this years challenge and hope you can support us in whatever way you can....with a donation, by sharing our story and raising funds and awareness or by holding a small event (maybe a cake sale or similar) to add donations to our page.

So many of you have already been so generous, both financially and emotionally, and we thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your continued love and support.