Chesterfield mum tackles Peaks challenge to thank staff who cared for daughter with brain tumour

A Chesterfield mum whose daughter was diagnosed with a rare brain tumour is raising funds to say thank you to hospital staff who supported her.
Lucy's mum Tracey Evison is determined to keep raising money.Lucy's mum Tracey Evison is determined to keep raising money.
Lucy's mum Tracey Evison is determined to keep raising money.

Lucy Needham was just ten months old when she was diagnosed with a rare, malignant brain tumour in August 2014.

Lucy underwent emergency brain surgery, lasting nine hours, as well as several rounds of chemotherapy and stem cell treatment as she fought for life.

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She would go onto spend the next five months on the cancer and leukaemia ward at Sheffield Children’s Hospital.

The after-effects of her tumour have meant she is now tube-fed, having lost her ability to swallow while the chemotherapy also affected her lungs and hearing.

More than six years on, Lucy has faced her challenges with determination and grown to be a bubbly, smiley little girl.

Lucy’s mum Tracey said: “She has had to endure so much in her life so far, but we are so very grateful to all the teams at Sheffield Children’s that look after Lucy.

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"They have been amazing and have given her the opportunity to live as full a life as possible.

“We are all excited about what the future holds for our superstar.

"Fundraising has become a big part of my life ever since as a way of saying thank you.”

On June 26, Tracey and her close friend Helen will take part in the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge to raise funds.

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The demanding 25-mile trek takes in the summits of Pen-y-ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough, all in one circular route starting and ending in Horton-in-Ribbesdale in the Yorkshire Dales. The aim is to complete the walk within 12 hours.

Tracey said: “Helen and I both love getting out into the Peak District for long walks and it’s something we’ve really missed, so when this challenge came up, we thought it would be an ideal one for us.”

The money raised will support The Children’s Hospital Charity’s appeal to transform the cancer and leukaemia ward at Sheffield Children’s, which provided Lucy’s treatment.

Tracey added: “Families on the ward spend a lot of time there, so we need to help make it as much of a home from home as possible.”

To make a donation, visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/traceyeandhelenb.