Family and friends of man with brain tumour are raising awareness

The money raised has been used to fund additional therapies for Kieran Shingler that are not offered on the NHS, as well as supporting a number of brain cancer charities.

Kieran, who is from Callands, was diagnosed with a high-grade cancerous brain tumour in December 2022 when he was just 23 after suffering from headaches.

As an avid exerciser, Kieran knew something was wrong when his severe headaches were stopping him from working and training.

A football tournament fundraiser took place last August at Orford Jubilee Hub (Image: Supplied)

After undergoing four operations in just six weeks, including surgery to carry out a craniotomy and debulking of his tumour, he was dealt the devastating diagnosis.

The now 24-year-old has since undergone various rounds of treatment, including oral chemotherapy.

Following extensive research by Kieran’s partner Abbie and mum Lisa, Kieran received a number of free sessions of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT), red light therapy, and infra-red sauna thanks to the Ahead of the Game Foundation which was set up by Dave Bolton who is 10 years post diagnosis of a grade 4 brain tumour.

And thanks to the incredible sum of money raised by those around Kieran, a former Great Sankey High School pupil, he has since been able to hire his own HBOT and red-light cap, meaning he can receive these therapies more regularly and in his own home.

Owen Lee, Kieran's best friend, took on Bolton Ironman last July to raise funds (Image: Supplied)

He also receives one-to-one cancer rehabilitation sessions which consist of an hour each week working on his strength and fitness at the Ahead of the Game Foundation.

Abbie said how all of this combined has not only helped Kieran to cope, but has boosted his confidence and mental health.

In January, Kieran received the amazing news that his tumour has shrunk to the smallest it has been since he was diagnosed.

Abbie, Kieran's partner of 10 years, told the Warrington Guardian: “Kieran is doing really well.

“He keeps on improving each day, is getting out and about, is making memories, doing things without hesitation, and is learning to live again.

Last year's Pretty Muddy fundraiser at Victoria Park (Image: Supplied)

“Some days are harder than others but we understand that is very normal and we just all come together and support each other.”

Since Kieran’s diagnosis, those around him have rallied together to show incredible levels of support and to raise awareness of brain tumours.

This can be seen by ‘Kieran’s Krew’ a title set up for people to support Kieran and follow his journey.

Those involved in Kieran’s Krew have took part in various fundraisers over the last year, raising just short of £50,000.

Caitlyn, Kieran's sister, and Abbie on the plane before we jumped out at 15,000ft over Lancaster for Clatterbridge Cancer Care Centre (Image: Supplied)

Fundraisers have included the likes of a 100-mile bike ride, a 12-hour spinathon, climbing Snowdon, a skydive, a bingo bedlam, and triathlons.

Last year, 110 members of Kieran’s Krew took part in Warrington’s 5k Pretty Muddy at Victoria Park. They all ran in grey to raise awareness of brain tumours.

This year, the team will do it again in June, but this time with almost 150 runners.

Abbie said: “Every fundraiser we say how overwhelmed we are for the support, and we genuinely never expected the amount of people to show love and support to us.

A 10,000m swim took place like August to fundraise (Image: Supplied)

“People who we've not spoken to for years, old school mates, old football teams, strangers, friends of friends, it's truly amazing.

“This year we thought we would get around 70-80 people running definitely not over 100 again, so nearly 150 people is crazy.

“We are so grateful that we have an army to all help us start a conversation on brain cancer as it should be talked about more.”

To donate to Kieran’s Krew or to follow Kieran’s story, visit: https://www.gofundme.com/f/kierans-krew-kieran-shingler

Symptoms of a brain tumour

The symptoms of a brain tumour vary depending on the exact part of the brain affected.

Common symptoms include:

• headaches
• seizures (fits)
• persistently feeling sick (nausea), being sick (vomiting) and drowsiness
• mental or behavioural changes, such as memory problems or changes in personality
• progressive weakness or paralysis on one side of the body
• vision or speech problems
• Sometimes you may not have any symptoms to begin with, or they may develop very slowly over time.

When to see a GP

See a GP if you have these types of symptoms, particularly if you have a headache that feels different from the type of headache you usually get, or if headaches are getting worse.

You may not have a brain tumour, but these types of symptoms should be checked.

If the GP cannot identify a more likely cause of your symptoms, they may refer you to a doctor who specialises in the brain and nervous system (neurologist) for further assessment and tests, such as a brain scan.

For more information, visit: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/brain-tumours/