Matilda, a bright, funny, kind, and curious 11-year-old was until recently, an energetic and thriving child. But in April 2025, her world changed when she was diagnosed with grade 4 medulloblastoma, an aggressive and fast-growing brain cancer.

Following a gruelling 12-hour brain surgery, Matilda developed posterior fossa syndrome (also known as cerebellar mutism) — a rare and serious complication that affects 1 in 4 children after this kind of surgery. It has left her unable to walk, talk clearly, dress, or feed herself without assistance.

Now, alongside her cancer treatment, Matilda is facing a long, difficult journey of intensive rehabilitation to regain her basic abilities and independence.

She’s currently undergoing proton beam therapy to target the tumour, and chemotherapy will follow.

The physical, emotional, and financial toll of this battle is immense — especially for her mum, who has taken indefinite leave from work to care for Matilda.

While her mum’s employer has been brilliantly supportive, the additional costs are mounting- including travel to NHS appointments from Folkestone to London, and vital rehabilitation therapies and subscriptions that aren’t covered by the NHS.

We’ve set up this page to help give Matilda the best possible chance at recovery and quality of life.

Your support will help to:

Fund essential rehabilitation therapies

Cover travel and accommodation costs for treatment

Ease the financial strain so her mum can stay by her side

No child should have to face what Matilda is going through. And no parent should have to choose between caring for their child and financial survival.

Every donation, no matter the size, makes a real difference.

And if you’re unable to give right now, please share this page — it helps more than you know.

Thank you for reading, supporting, and standing with Matilda.

With gratitude,

Cate Sorour

(on behalf of Matilda and her mum, Martyna)