Little sister inspires Big Oke abseil to help find brain tumour cure

A 12-year-old girl living with life-changing effects of a brain tumour has inspired family members, including her elder sister, to take on the Big Oke abseil to help find a cure for the devastating disease.

Leah Martin from Paignton was diagnosed with an aggressive medulloblastoma brain tumour at the age of two and underwent several operations and a gruelling regime of high-dose chemotherapy and radiotherapy which has left her with long-term side effects. They include problems with her speech and mobility, vision and hearing loss, as well as severe learning difficulties and growth issues due to hormonal deficiencies.

Leah’s mum Jo set up the Leah’s Fairy Fund Fundraising Group which supports research being funded by Brain Tumour Research at itsCentre of Excellence at the University of Plymouth. To date it has raised more than £26,000 which has sponsored the equivalent of nine days of research.

On Saturday 18 April, Leah’s sister Jasmine, 16, and dad Wayne braved an incredible 110ft free fall abseil from the historic Meldon Viaduct on the outskirts of Okehampton to the valley floor below, jointly raising more than £800.

Jasmine said: “What an incredible experience! I actually ended up enjoying myself and raising a lot more than anticipated, so definitely a big win.

“Brain Tumour Research is a charity very close to my heart and although my sister Leah may be ‘cured’, she still faces many struggles and proves that she’s 10 times braver than I ever will be on a daily basis. Any sponsors are greatly appreciated and thanks so much for all the amazing support so far.”

Dad Wayne said: “Leah continues to smile through most of her days while learning how to cope with her difficulties.

“But I’m hoping that one day there will be kinder treatments and a cure so that no more children have to go through what my daughter has.”

Brain tumours kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer, yet just 1% of the national spend on cancer research has been allocated to this devastating disease since records began in 2002.

Louise Aubrey, community development manager for Brain Tumour Research, said: “We’re really grateful to Jasmine and Wayne and all who support Leah’s Fairy Fund for their incredible fundraising efforts which are helping to make a difference for patients diagnosed with brain tumours.

“Brain Tumour Research is focused on funding research to find more effective treatments and ultimately a cure for all types of brain tumour.”

Brain Tumour Research funds sustainable research at dedicated centres in the UK. It also campaigns for the Government and larger cancer charities to invest more in research into brain tumours in order to speed up new treatments for patients and, ultimately, to find a cure. The charity is the driving force behind the call for a national annual spend of £35 million in order to improve survival rates and patient outcomes in line with other cancers such as breast cancer and leukaemia.

To sponsor Jasmine, go to  https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/jasmine-abseil

To sponsor Wayne, go to https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/waynequarryabseil