Nicole taking on challenge in memory of her brave little superhero Sylas

Nicole Harrigan, 26, is taking on the 10,000 Steps a Day in February Challenge to raise vital funds for the charity after her son Sylas died from a grade four medulloblastoma brain tumour in February 2020.

Medulloblastoma is the most common high-grade paediatric brain tumour, more common in boys than girls.

Nicole and her husband Nils now living in Goldthorpe in South Yorkshire but at the time of Sylas’ illness, the family was living in Chesterfield.

Nicole said: “Nils and I first thought something might be wrong in October 2019, when he was 17 months old – his balance was off and he was also being sick.”

Nicole and Nils contacted their GP, as they were also concerned about an outbreak of mumps in the area.

Sylas was admitted to Chesterfield Royal Hospital where a CT scan revealed a golf ball-sized tumour on his brain.

Over the course of two operations, surgeon Mr Shungu Ushewokunze managed to remove almost all over the tumour.

But, tragically, it had damaged his midbrain.

Sylas had an MRI scan and it confirmed that the damage to his brain was extensive and he wasn’t going to get better.

On November 9, 2019, Nicole and Nils brought him home .

Nicole said: “We were determined to bring him home rather than take him to a hospice.

“We had a lovely time making memories and we were able to enjoy a family Christmas together too.”

Sylas sadly died on February 21 last year.

Now, one year on, Nicole is joining thousands of other fundraisers around the country by taking part in a 10,000 Steps a Day in February Challenge, to raise money for Brain Tumour Research.

She said: “I feel that this challenge is something that I can still do for Sylas, having been stripped of my motherly duties and looking after him. “He was the most perfect little boy and I’m so proud to be his mummy.

"I’m doing this for him, my superhero.”

To support Nicole, click here.