Our Young Ambassadors
Tom’s Trust is deeply grateful for the incredible work our Young Ambassadors do. They represent Tom’s Trust, actively raise awareness about childhood cancer and its profound impact on families and they make a difference to the lives of many who are affected by brain or central nervous system tumours – giving hope, support and understanding.
All our Young Ambassadors have experienced the devastation that a brain tumour diagnosis brings either to themselves or a sibling. Their stories are all unique, but common themes of bravery, strength, and positivity shine through. We couldn’t be prouder of them all and we thank every single one of them for courageously sharing their stories.
Aston
About Aston
Aston, 14, was first diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2013, when he was just two years old. During surgery 90% of the tumour was removed, with 10% being left attached to his brain stem. He has since faced a tumour regrowth three times, in 2018, 2020 and 2022 and has taken part in an ongoing clinical trial to treat the cancer, as well as receiving other treatment such as chemotherapy. Over the years Aston, who has been supported by our psychology team, has been a fantastic Young Ambassador for Tom’s Trust. He has recorded videos for our social media channels, shared his story and encouraged others to fundraise for us.
Riley
About Riley
Riley, 14, was diagnosed with a brain tumour in March 2018, when he was seven, which thankfully was benign. He now lives with his brain tumour as it is inoperable. His family has been supported by a Tom’s Trust psychologist since he was diagnosed, and this support continues as he receives monitoring. He is an incredibly resilient young boy and has featured in several fundraising and awareness raising videos for Tom’s Trust. He also often gets involved with our social media campaigns. In recognition of all that he has done to help Tom’s Trust he won an Inspirational YoungStars Award in 2022.
Mimi
About Mimi
Mimi, 15, was diagnosed with a pilomyxoid astrocytoma brain tumour in 2013, when she was three. She endured surgery and chemotherapy but relapsed in 2017. She then had proton beam radiation in Florida and was stable for a couple of years before developing a new tumour nodule in the radiated area. In March 2021 this nodule was removed. Mimi has recovered well from her surgery and her family are hopeful that she remains stable. Mimi has been an incredible Young Ambassador for Tom’s Trust, featuring adverts and helping with social media and videos. She recently won awards at the Inspirational YoungStars Awards, along with her brother Flint.
Flint
About Flint
Flint, 16, is Mimi’s brother, and supports us as her sibling. He recently became the youngest ever competitor in a 1,000km ultra-endurance cycling race across France, which raised more than £15,000 for Tom’s Trust in recognition of his sister’s journey with a brain tumour. He got involved with extensive media coverage of his challenge, and recently won an award with Charity Today as the UK Fundraiser of the Year. In addition to that he also won awards at the Inspirational YoungStars Awards, along with Mimi for their work as Young Ambassadors for Tom’s Trust.
Freddie
About Freddie
Freddie, 15, was diagnosed at 11 months old with a right-sided temporal low-grade glioma brain tumour. The tumour grew 10 percent in just over six months and then Freddie underwent surgery to remove 90 percent of the tumour, as removing it all would have left him paralysed on his left side. At the time it was unclear if he would recover or ever walk again, but Freddie grew up to be healthy and active. Longer term, Freddie does experience difficulties with processing language and memory. Freddie has been supported by a Tom’s Trust psychologist and although he has faced adversity, he remains cheerful and has an incredibly positive outlook towards life.
Grace
About Grace
Grace, 11, was just one when she was diagnosed with a medulloblastoma in December 2014 after having difficulties with her balance. The tumour was successfully removed, and six months of chemotherapy followed. Grace was given the all-clear in August 2015, but the tumour returned in November 2015. Grace had surgery again but unfortunately not all the tumour could be removed, which resulted in six-weeks of cranial and spinal radiotherapy and six months of chemotherapy. Grace and her family have been supported by a Tom’s Trust psychologist in the North-East.
Camille
About Camille
Camille, 17, was diagnosed with an ependymoma brain tumour when she was two, in 2009. She underwent two years of gruelling treatment that included high dose chemo, three brain tumour resections and a programme of aggressive radiotherapy. At such a young age, this had a big impact on Camille. The family have been supported by a Tom’s Trust psychologist, and since then Camille has come on leaps and bounds. She has passed her GCSEs and now regularly supports Tom’s Trust as a Young Ambassador, including recently helping to promote our Sibling Toolkit on BBC Breakfast. Watch Camille’s father talking about her diagnosis
Harry
About Harry
Harry, 14, was just 11 years-old when his life changed forever. His sister, Emily was just eight when she was diagnosed with a diffuse midline glioma (DIPG) which grew aggressively, ending her life in less than two weeks after it was discovered in August 2022. Harry and his family went on to raise more than £12,000 for Tom’s Trust in a coast-to-coast walk in 2023, a year on from Emily’s death. Harry has also fundraised for other brain tumour charities, winning him a JustGiving Award in 2023. He has appeared in national media for Tom’s Trust and read out a poem at our Christmas Carol Service in 2023.
Luke
About Luke
Luke, 17, was 12 when his symptoms showed. Nine months later he was diagnosed with a low-grade craniopharyngioma brain tumour. Luke underwent lengthy surgery twice to remove the tumour followed by six weeks of Proton Radiation therapy to treat what they could not remove surgically, thankfully he remains stable but his treatments have resulted in damage to his pituitary gland and his Hypothalamus. This caused life-altering conditions including diabetes insipidus, adrenal insufficiency, hypothyroidism and hypothalamic dysfunction. Luke is now dedicated to raising awareness of the repercussions of a brain tumour diagnosis and the mental strain it places on young individuals and their families.
Sophie
About Sophie
Sophie, 16, was diagnosed in December 2013 aged five. Sophie had a squint and squint correction operation when she was very little and was under Addenbrookes Hospital’s optician for check-ups. After a routine appointment, Sophie was quickly moved to A&E for a CT scan which revealed an orange-size tumour. After being moved to a ward Sophie was given steroids and had an MRI scan. The size was confirmed, and an operation date was booked. Sophie was stable so it was decided to take her home in the lead up. The operation went well, and the results showed that no further treatment was needed. The family have been rebuilding from the trauma and count themselves lucky with the outcome and support they have received; from charities such as Tom’s Trust.
Jamie
About Jamie
Jamie, 16, was aged seven when he was diagnosed with a brain tumour in November 2016. For weeks and months leading up to Jamie’s diagnosis it had been an anxiety ridden ride of visits to the local GP and Addenbrookes hospital. The family were devastated hearing those words, feeling like the world has suddenly crashed around them. Jamie’s surgery was within a week, and his physical recovery was amazing. Four days after his operation the family were on their way home and Jamie didn’t need any further treatment, just regular scans going forward. Tom’s Trust have been a huge support to all the family and have provided emotional and psychological support, particularly for Jamie as he transitions through school.
Jamie
About Jamie
Jamie was diagnosed with a cancerous metastatic midbrain Germinoma in 2020 at the age of 14. Following his diagnosis, he had a VP shunt inserted due to reoccurring life-threatening hydrocephalus, and treatment at the Proton Beam Radiotherapy Centre @ Christies in Manchester. Jamie’s tumour affected his pituitary gland, so he has no signal from his brain to his endocrine system. It also affected his optic nerve and eyes which led to vision problems, and issues with his balance. For Jamie the worst of his resulting conditions was deep fatigue. He found returning to school a difficult time. He was moved down a year, and lost all his original friends. Jamie is keen to share his brain tumour story to help others facing a similar diagnosis.
Connor
About Connor
Connor, now 17, was diagnosed with a brain tumour at the age of three. He was treated at the Great North Children’s Hospital with surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. Surgery left him with a condition called Posterior Fossa Syndrome. Whilst treatment has been successful in saving Connor’s life, chemotherapy resulted in hearing loss in both ears and radiotherapy has left him with learning disabilities. He will need support throughout his life to maximize his independence and to help him make the most of his strengths. Neuropsychological assessments from our Tom’s Trust clinical psychologist have supported his team and family to consider what interventions or strategies might benefit him most.
Polly
About Polly
Polly was diagnosed with a life-changing benign Optical Pathway Glioma at just 14 months’ old, at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, where a Tom’s Trust clinical psychologist supports Polly and her family. Polly has had several rounds of chemo and faces the long term effects of her brain tumour including: blindness in her right eye, precocious puberty, trauma induced OCD, autism, ADHD, and sensory processing issues, but at age 11, she loves to dance, to watch Monsters Inc, and ponies and is thankfully stable.
Become a Young Ambassador
Our Young Ambassadors are at the heart of everything we do at Tom’s Trust, and they support us through a wide range of activities, from fundraising, to spreading awareness in schools, to helping us make videos and social media posts or sharing their story through the media. If you or your sibling has been impacted by a brain tumour or central nervous system tumour diagnosis and you want to share your story to help others, we invite you to join Tom’s Trust as a Young Ambassador. Contact our Family Liaison Coordinator, Laura Bowditch, to find out more.