I’m taking on Everest to help save lives
CLIMBER’S EPIC CHALLENGE TO RAISE FUNDS FOR CHARITY SET UP BY DAD IN BRAIN TUMOUR BATTLE
A CLIMBER is taking on the world’s tallest mountain to raise money for brain tumour research – after a young dad was given just years to live.
Hannah McKenna, from Blackley, is set to climb to more than 5,000 metres above sea level this month when she takes on an Everest challenge.
Her friend Neil Taylor, from Middleton, was told he might have between five and 10 years to live after being diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2017.
After suffering two seizures, Neil, who is married to Alex and has daughter Annabelle and son Harvey, was told had a tumour on his left frontal lobe.
“Initially it was a bit of a shock,” Neil, 37, told the M.E.N. “It was going down the route of epileptic fits rather than seizures, so I wasn’t diagnosed correctly for a few months.
“That was one of the thoughts – ‘am I going to have to do this process of a bucket list, including writing birthday cards out for Annabelle?’ When we got the prognosis of five to 10 years, it was very upsetting. I don’t think it really sank in for me, but then I saw my mum and wife’s faces when they were told.”
Medics operated on Neil to remove as much of the tumour as they could. It was later identified as a grade three astrocytoma, which would need intense courses of radiotherapy and chemotherapy.
Neil now has regular MRI scans to check for regrowth but he still lives with the devastating illness.
To spend more precious time with his wife as children while he can, Neil recently gave up his job as a franchise supervisor for McDonalds in Manchester.
“It was a really good job,” he said. “But I was often working weekends and was conscious that I was missing valuable time with my family. I need to catch up on missed time with my children. Over the last few years, I’ve been worried about them rather than myself.
“It upsets me and it’s just about making as many memories as possible and making sure they’re set up in terms of their lives.”
After his diagnosis, Neil started fundraising for Brain Tumour Research, which soon led to him and his family to set up Neil’s Appeal – a fundraising group under the umbrella of Brain Tumour Research. It has already raised close to £29,000.
“I’m so grateful to and humbled by Hannah for choosing Neil’s Appeal and Brain Tumour Research over all the other charities out there,” Neil said.
“It’s really amazing what she is doing and I wish her all the very best of luck.
“It may be too late for me, but we desperately need to find a cure, so please help by making a donation to Hannah’s fundraising.”
Hannah will spend 15 days trekking up to Everest Base Camp, over the Chola Pass and around the Gokyo Lakes, climbing to a height of 5,420 metres.
She said: “I first got into mountainclimbing when I was at North Manchester High School for Girls, which doesn’t exist any more, and was working on my Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award.
“I am nervous, but really excited about my Everest challenge and I know Neil will be my inspiration when things get tough. He’s such a positive guy and has the loveliest wife and gorgeous children.
“There’s a desperate need for much more research into brain tumours to find more effective treatment and ultimately a cure. It just doesn’t get the awareness, let alone the funding it needs.”
Brain tumours kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer, yet historically just 1 per cent of the national spend on cancer has been allocated to this devastating disease.
Matthew Price, community development manager at Brain Tumour Research, said: “Brain tumours are indiscriminate and can affect anyone at any age. Just 12 per cent of patients survive beyond five years compared with an average of 50 per cent across all cancers.
“We are very grateful to Hannah and of course Neil’s Appeal for their fundraising. It’s only with the support of people like them that we’re able to progress our research into brain tumours and improve the outcome for patients who are forced to fight this awful disease.”
To make a donation to Hannah’s fundraising for Neil’s Appeal and Brain Tumour Research, go to www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Hannah-Everest