Blackpool mum tells why she is passionate to run marathon challenge for Brain Tumour Research

Sally Hornby, 26, is taking on the Jog 26.2 Miles in May challenge to raise money for the Brain Tumour Research charity. It comes after her son, Riley Battams, was diagnosed with an astrocytoma brain tumour when he was just five years old.

Sally, along with Riley’s dad, Ricky Battams, 27, first realised something was wrong in October 2019 while on holiday in Germany.

She said: “Riley wasn’t feeling well for three days, and he kept complaining of headaches and feeling sick but we didn’t think it was anything untoward.

“Then on Christmas Day, he was sick as soon as he had his first mouthful of Christmas dinner. Over the following days, he had a headache, he was sick, and his neck was hurting.”

Sally and Ricky took Riley to the GP. He failed the reflex tests and was referred to Blackpool Victoria Hospital. On December 28 he had a CT scan which revealed a mass on his brain.

Riley, who attends Hawes Side Academy in Blackpool, was taken by ambulance to Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital where, two days later, he underwent an operation to remove the tumour.

Throughout January 2020, Riley was very withdrawn which led to Sally taking him back to the children’s hospital in Manchester.

She said: “The doctors discovered that Riley had hydrocephalus, which is when you have a build-up of fluid on the brain, causing pressure.

“He had a lump the size of a tennis ball at the base of his head which was filled with fluid, so he needed to get a shunt inserted to drain it.

“Riley is doing ok now, but he gets very tired and struggles with school.”

Now, Sally is taking part in the Jog 26.2 Miles in May challenge to raise money for Brain Tumour Research.

She said: “You never think that something like this will happen to your child. The statistics on brain tumours are so scary but so little is known about them.

“I feel really passionately about this because there is such a lack of awareness of this devastating disease.

“I hope to raise as much money as possible to help find a cure.”

Brain tumours kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer yet, historically, just 1% of the national spend on cancer research has been allocated to this devastating disease.

Matthew Price, community development manager at Brain Tumour Research said: “We’re really grateful to Sally as it’s only with the support of people like her that we’re able to progress our research into brain tumours and improve the outcome for patients like Riley who are forced to fight this awful disease.

“Unlike many other cancers, brain tumours are indiscriminate. They can affect anyone at any time. Too little is known about the causes and that is why increased investment in research is vital.”

Brain Tumour Research funds sustainable research at dedicated centres in the UK.

To donate to Sally’s fundraising page, visit: www.facebook.com/donate/397245132402503

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