Trip of a lifetime in sight

BATTLER . . . brave 16-year-old Newman RC College pupil Connor Stubbs is fighting a brain tumour so rare only three people in Britain have it

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A BRAVE 16-year-old battler is preparing for the trip of a lifetime after undergoing treatment for an extremely rare brain tumour.

Connor Stubbs, from Lees, was initially diagnosed with obstructive hydrocephalus ­- a build-up of fluid in the brain ­- after experiencing headaches and blurred vision last year.

The Newman RC College pupil was diagnosed with a pineoblastoma tumour ­- a malignant grade IV tumour which accounts for less than 1 per cent of brain tumours.

Several hospital visits followed including an operation at Salford Royal on January 26 to reduce the size of the tumour as much as possible.

Doctors were successful in reducing the tumour by 1.1cm but an MRI scan two weeks later found the tumour had doubled in size.

Mum Kay Tomlinson said: "The neurosurgeon told us Connor's condition was terminal. He may have a few years left but the tumour would be fatal. The tumour he has is so rare there are only three people in Britain who have it."

A fundraising page has now been launched to help Connor achieve his life-long dream of visiting the Galapagos Islands to see the sea turtles.

In just two weeks, generous well-wishers have raised more than £2,000 of their £8,000 target to send him on the trip with two friends next year.

In early February the family received the positive news from an oncologist that new treatment was available but it would make Connor unwell and his survival would depend on his body's response.

Connor has finished radiotherapy and is now on a recovery period before a four-month stay at The Christie Hospital while he undergoes chemotherapy.

Kay said: "We hope this treatment is successful because the tumour has been caught early but it is renowned for coming back.

"Connor is coping really well. He is more positive than all of us put together.

"He is absolutely obsessed with Charles Darwin. He has read 'The Theory of Evolution' and is currently watching a series about him.

"This trip would mean everything to him. It's his dream. He's never even been on a plane before.

"We want him to fulfil his dreams in case this tumour comes back."

One of Connor's friends is gearing up to run the Manchester 10k next month to raise money for the oncology ward at The Christie.

His uncle Darren Greenhalgh is also preparing for a huge fundraising effort for the Brain Tumour Society on May 23, when he will run a return trip from Blackpool to The Christie, pulling along a cart which weighs 51kg ­- equivalent to Connor's weight.

Karen Prince, Connor's uncle's partner, said: "He has been such a trooper.

"We want people to be aware of brain tumours and especially pineoblastoma, as well as the symptoms, so more people are diagnosed earlier.

"If we can raise this money then it will give Connor something to look forward to. There is no other way the family can afford to do this without our help."

To donate visit www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/karen-pri.