Just 1% of the national spend on cancer research has been allocated to this devastating disease - Brain Cancer. This is unacceptable!

December 2023

Out of nowhere, my Mother-in-law was diagnosed with Brain Cancer on 20th December 2023 (Her son’s Birthday), this followed months of tests, even at this time Jackie was unable to communicate clearly and often forgot conversations., she couldn't really grasp clearly what was going on.

Our world was thrown upside down.

We were advised that Jackie was too weak for chemotherapy and was given up to 4 months to live. This was a huge shock to us, already at this point Jackie could not clearly communicate like she used, she would quickly forget any conversation about her health.

We knew very little about this disease ourselves, or what her last months/weeks would look like. 



You always think these things don’t happen to you until they do. All we could do was take one day at a time. We tried to celebrate every ‘Last’, ‘Last Christmas’, ‘Last New Year’, ‘Last Mother’s Day’, Last Easter, every ‘last’ we got reached was a celebration. 



Jackie loved to socialise, she dedicated her time to charities and clubs close to her and in need of her support. From the Rotary Foundation, being Chair of the MS Committee to supporting her local Seaford food bank and being Pioneer Chief of Cliffe Bonfire Society to name a few.

However, this time she was the one who needed the help.

It was our wish to keep Jackie home until the end as that’s what she wanted, at times it was touch and go, and the ambulance was called a few times when there was a change in Jackie’s health.

Jackie lost her speech soon after Christmas, became bedbound and then was unable to eat as the tumour spread so quickly in such a short space of time. 



April 2024 (4 months from diagnosis)

We are so happy that we managed to keep her home. With her husband Shaughn, who was with her every second of every day. Her son Jon and the care team, we did all we could to keep her comfortable for the time she had left and surrounded at home where she felt safe in such unknown times. 



Seeing someone you know and love go through this so quickly, losing all dignity, and there’s nothing you can do is horrible. There was nothing we could do to make it better or fix things and get back to our normal.



I have come to learn that this disease affects so many people and families in the UK with little and often no cure. So many lives are taken too soon.

We were with Jackie to the very end and sadly she lost her battle peacefully at home on Good Friday 2024.

Jackie left behind her strong, amazing son, her husband, 3 gorgeous granddaughters, and so many friends that miss her every day.

I couldn’t make Jackie better but I can raise awareness to many across the UK, I really hope some of my fundraising will help towards the research in the hope we one day have a cure.

I am fundraising for Brain Tumour Research as they are the only national charity dedicated to funding long-term, sustainable research in the UK and focus on a cure. .

Please help me fund the fight. Together we will find a cure.