An amazing seven-year-old has learned to ride a bike to take part in our Cycle 274 Miles in August Challenge to help find a cure for brain tumours after losing his mum to the disease.
Noah Griffiths is using his new-found skill to pay tribute to his mum, Briar Butler, on the first anniversary of her death.
Briar was diagnosed with a glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) brain tumour in June 2018, aged 30. She underwent surgery to treat hydrocephalus, a severe swelling caused by excess fluid in the brain. The operation was followed by a debulking of the tumour and several more surgeries, after she developed infections in her skull. Tragically, Briar died on 17th August 2020.
Now, Noah is turning his heartache into something positive and is raising funds to support Brain Tumour Research. Incredibly, he has already raised nearly £1,300.
He said: “It’s not fair Mummy died. I’m so sad but I ride my bike so that it helps other children’s families who get ill like my mummy.”
Briar’s mum and Noah’s nana and legal guardian, Beverley Shirreffss, said: “I miss Briar so much and the pain I feel is unbearable. However, channelling our grief into this challenge is really cathartic and is giving us a purpose. Noah’s fundraising is just the start of what I hope will be a longstanding relationship with Brain Tumour Research. I want to raise enough money to sponsor a day of research at one of the charity’s Centres of Excellence, which will mean that Noah can have a commemorative tile placed in Briar’s memory. I am so proud of him; he gives me a reason to get up every day and to carry on.”
To support Noah, please donate via his Facebook Fundraiser: www.facebook.com/donate/578592593147793
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