Girl with cancer hikes 11 miles for tumour charity

A 12-year-old girl living with a rare brain tumour has completed an 11-mile (18km) walk to help other children facing the disease.

Thalia, from Sheffield, raised £3,700 for OSCAR's Paediatric Brain Tumour Charity by hiking Ullswater Way in the Lake District.

"I wanted to prove to myself and others that while this disease can hold you back in certain ways, it can't stop you doing what you love," she said.

Her father, Chris, a cancer researcher at the University of Sheffield, said when his daughter was diagnosed in March 2023, he would never have expected her to take on the challenge.

"We were told this [sort of thing] was not going to be possible," he said.

"We know many other families whose children did not survive very long at all."

Thalia suffered significant paralysis on the left side of her body as a result of the tumour, a diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG).

Thalia's "incredible positive atmosphere" had helped her regain her movements and fine motor skills and family life was "remarkably normal", her father said.

She had daily radiotherapy and chemotherapy for three months and weekly chemotherapy for six months, and in the year since, has been stable.

Her father described this as a "happy surprise" given the aggressive nature of the disease.

"The past couple of years have really taught us to live more in the now and do things while you can," he said.

"We don't have a concept of putting something off and saying, 'there's always time later'."

Thalia has the same approach to life as her father, as just a few weeks after completing the near-half marathon, she is set to hike Yr Wyddfa, also known as Snowdon, the tallest mountain in Wales.

Cancer had taught her "determination and willingness" and made her stronger, she said.

"I am partly disappointed that the walk is over because I really enjoyed it," she added.

"It provided security around me and I really felt like I belonged."

The group of 50 people who took part in the hike raised a total of £25,000 for OSCAR's, which was set up in memory of nine-year-old Oscar Hughes to help families of children with brain tumours "at the point of greatest need".

Phil Martinez, from the charity, said it was an "important life lesson" for children to know they can help other young people.

"Thalia is leading the way in that respect," he added.

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