A woman whose husband is undergoing treatment for a brain tumour has raised more than £12,000 to help find a cure for the disease.
Simon Penwright was given a prognosis of just 12 months after he was diagnosed with a multifocal glioblastoma (GBM) in January. He underwent surgery followed by three weeks of high dose radiotherapy and chemotherapy and is now undergoing further chemo.
Earlier this month, Simon’s wife, Emily, organised a race night fundraiser, held at the Southcott Village Residents’ Association (SVRA) in Linslade. The event was a roaring success with an 80-strong crowd, a raffle with prizes generously gifted by the community, and an auction with lots including a week’s stay in Cornwall and a Red Bull Racing cap signed by current Formula One world champion Max Verstappen.
Emily’s daughters, Maisie and Megan, also set up a GoFundMe page after learning the severity of Simon’s tumour. Emily said: “They said they knew people would want to help, and they were right because the pennies started rolling in straight away. The idea was to help other families so they don’t have to experience what we are in the future.”
With both fundraising pages, and a few other events, Emily and her friends and family have raised more than £12,000.
Emily added: “Ours is a true love story, we really are soul mates and the situation we find ourselves in isn’t the happy ever after we wanted, but we’re making the most of it and trying to stay as optimistic as possible.
“Things are up and down but we just live day-by-day now whilst trying to remain as positive as we can. There are exceptions to every 12 month prognosis and if anyone can live 10 years with this, it’ll be Si.”
To support Emily’s fundraising, click here to visit her JustGiving page.
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