Western Daily Press (Saturday)
Bucket-list Dalek for ‘unstoppable’ Noah
THIS is the touching moment a Doctor Who fan with an inoperable brain tumour was given his own Dalek.
Noah Herniman, 17, wrote a bucket list in 2021 after being told he had a genetic condition that causes tumours to grow along your nerves.
Top of his list is to meet his favourite Doctor – David Tennant. And second is to own a Dalek which had appeared in the BBC show – which can cost around £4,500.
Hearing about Noah’s list, locals in his hometown of Chepstow, Monmouthshire, launched a fundraiser – and made his dream come true on Thursday night.
Footage shows the moment the Dalek arrived outside his house as a crowd watches on.
Angela Jones, a family friend, helped set up the JustGiving page that raised the money.
She said of the Dalek surprise: “It was one of the best experiences of my life! He was so genuinely surprised and delighted and he was actually lost for words.”
Noah was also treated to a ride around Chepstow in ‘Santa’s Sleigh’, courtesy of community group Chepstow Round Table.
The teenager was told two years ago that he had neurofibromatosis Type 1. Sadly, in June 2021, Noah and his family then received the heartbreaking news that he had developed a type of brain tumour called a glioma that had wrapped itself around his brain stem, making it inoperable.
Noah underwent 74 weeks of debilitating chemotherapy to attempt to stabilise its size, leaving him in a wheelchair, weak and fatigued. Unfortunately, the tumour proceeded to grow and Noah is now currently undertaking a further 80 weeks of chemotherapy.
The emotional and financial impact this has had on Noah’s family has been huge, with both of his parents having to balance demanding work schedules with Noah’s regular medical appointments in Cardiff, an hour away from home.
Angela, 56, said: “Noah’s story is heartbreaking. I got to know him whilst I was his family’s liaison officer at his secondary school and grew a strong bond with him and his family, who are so lovely.
“He is such a funny, quirky boy with a sparky personality who never asks for anything for himself and is constantly doing things to help others in need.
“He is absolutely unstoppable and that is why I want to be able to do this for him.
“No 17-year-old should be writing a bucket list, but we wanted to help someone as deserving as Noah get his dream of owning his own Dalek.”
In May 2023, Noah came up with the idea of fundraising for a holiday home which could be used free of charge for children with cancer and their families.
By July, he had raised £60,000 to buy the holiday home, called ‘Noah’s Retreat,’ which is now used by families of children with cancer to create cherished memories.
Pascale Harvie, president and general manager of JustGiving said: “Noah’s story is heartbreaking, and my thoughts are with him and his
family as he bravely starts another round of chemotherapy.
“Noah is such a selfless and strong young man, and it is so heartwarming to see that after all of his fundraising efforts, his community are returning all the love and support he deserves through this wonderful fundraiser by Angela.
“I hope Noah gets to tick off the rest of his bucket list very soon.”
To contribute to Noah’s cause, please visit