Catterick mam takes on charity challenge after brain tumour struggle
32-year-old Sarah Holt will take part in the Great North Swim this week now she's recovered from life-saving surgery.
A Catterick mam who battled not one but TWO brain tumours is taking on a massive charity swim for charity.
32-year-old Sarah Holt is challenging herself to complete the Great North Swim this June in a bid to raise awareness and funds for the Brain Tumour Charity.
Sarah was first diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2009 shortly after the birth of her daughter Ava.
She underwent surgery to remove the brain tumour and underwent a gruelling recovery process.
Sarah said: “It was hard but I went from strength to strength and set myself goals to achieve. The first was to get back to work which I did just a few weeks later.
"Then it was to be strong and confident enough to be able to look after Ava by myself as well as working full time due to Steven being sent to Afghanistan on a six- month tour.
“It was great when he eventually came home and we could all be together again.”
Sarah gave birth to her son Jenson in 2013, but shortly afterwards was told that tragedy had struck again.
She added: “I couldn’t believe that it was happening all over again whilst our babies were so small. Ava was four years old and Jenson was just seven months. It felt so unfair that my family were going through it all again.
“Leaving the house for surgery after kissing a very upset Ava and Jenson goodbye was heartbreaking. I kept as strong as I could for them both as I didn't want either of them to know that mummy was upset or sad.”
Trying to find an explanation for her tumours, Sarah underwent genetic tests and was told she has a condition which will continue to put her at risk of tumours.
She said: “We know that it is a hereditary disease and my beautiful babies Ava and Jenson could possibly have it but we are waiting for tests to confirm that.
“It has been a crazy old time in our house hold over the past years and sadly it will continue to until my last days are up. I just hope that I take this with me & leave my children with fabulous memories of amazing times together and not a devastating disease that will change their lives forever.
- “Swimming the Great North Swim is on my bucket list and taking part in such a massive event means that I can raise money for an amazing charity that have helped my family, myself & many others in the same awful position as I have found myself.”*
Geraldine Pipping, the charity’s director of fundraising said: “We are so grateful to Sarah for raising awareness and funds and we wish her the best of luck for her swim.
“We receive no government funding and rely 100% on voluntary donations, so it’s only through the efforts of Sarah and others like her that we can work towards our twin goals of doubling survival and halving the harm caused by brain tumours.
- “Brain tumours are the biggest cancer killer of children and people under 40 in the UK and survival rates have not improved significantly over the last 40 years. We need to change that.”*
Sarah will take on the Great North Swim with her sister, and has raised over ÂŁ2,000, despite setting a ÂŁ500 target.
You can donate HERE.