Our mum has always been the heart of our family, kind, loving, creative, and endlessly brave. She lights up every room she walks into, makes everyone feel welcome, and somehow always finds the strength to lift others, even when she is hurting herself.

In November 2021, she was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer that had already spread to her brain. Just weeks later, on Christmas Eve, she underwent emergency brain surgery, followed by targeted radiotherapy to both frontal lobes. It was terrifying, but in true Mum fashion, she faced it head-on. Doctors initially told us she might have only 18 months. She refused to be defined by that number and has already outlived it through sheer determination and courage that leaves us in awe every day.

For a time, a targeted drug therapy worked well, but cancer is cruel and unpredictable. A new mutation emerged, and the disease spread to her chest, spine, and lymph nodes. Radiotherapy to her chest followed, which nearly took her life. She developed severe pneumonitis, was hospitalised, and survived something she was incredibly lucky to survive. Her lung partially collapsed, and she has lived with that damage ever since.

Another drug was secured on compassionate grounds, and once again, she responded beautifully, but only briefly. After just three months, the cancer began to spread again. Chemotherapy followed, buying precious time, until recently when it, too, stopped working. She has now been found to have over 40 rapidly spreading lesions throughout her brain, along with further progression in her lungs and spine. She has just completed five rounds of whole-brain radiotherapy, which has taken a huge toll on her body and spirit.

Her oncologist is now fighting for one final treatment, a drug not available through NHS England. He has had to apply directly to the pharmaceutical company in the hope of securing it on compassionate grounds. Without it, her time is now limited. We truly are in the last chance saloon. Buying the drug privately would cost around £7,000 per month, which is simply impossible.

While we know we cannot cure her cancer, we are fundraising to help cover other essential prescription medications, supplements, and complementary therapies that can support her body, ease symptoms, and hopefully give us more time together.

Mum is a single mother. More than anything, she wants time. Time to see my younger brother, who is 17, get settled into university. Time to finish her job of raising him and confidently send him off into the world. And selfishly, lovingly, we want as much time with her as we can get.

She is beautiful inside and out. Fabulous, funny, creative, and unapologetically herself. She is our home, our mum, our best friend, our confidant, the person we turn to for comfort, advice, laughter, and love. Even through pain and exhaustion, she continues to show us what resilience truly looks like.

If you can help in any way, we would be endlessly grateful. Your support means more time, more memories, and more moments with the woman who has always given everything she has to others.