Racing around the world for Callum’s brain tumour surgery

My name is Tom and I am a (temporarily) retired school teacher after 8 years in education. I have come away from teaching with the view to expand my business in childcare and pursue a new passion in running and racing - at least for the short term.

At this time, I had already run a half marathon in Canada, where I took my mum to see Niagra Falls and tick off another piece of her bucket list. I had booked my next venture to Brazil, this time running a full marathon, before I even returned from Toronto.

I had ‘the bug’.

A 15 year old student at my school caught wind of me on a journey of running, and asked if he could compete in a run for children who ‘have had it worse than me’. This instantly melted my heart.

Leaving education is tough. It’s a vocation. The bit, that you miss in a heartbeat, as cliche as it sounds, is making a difference. So this young lad, along with the leaving teaching behind, gave me a drive to use my new found love to make a difference and help someone in need.

That’s where Callum comes in.

I searched and searched to find the right person, and the right story. I came across Callum. Callum loves sport. So do I. Callum loves school. So do I. Callum loves the gym. So do I (now!). Callum supports Tottenham and you guessed it, so do I.

It was the perfect fit. It was then that I decided that I want to make a difference, for Callum.

The marathon in Brazil is my second event, and I have lined up 6 continents in 12 months, running and racing in 6 different events as seen below:

May 2025 - Half Marathon (Toronto, Canada, North America)

August 2025 - Marathon (Rio de Janiero, Brazil, South America)

October 2025 - Great Wall of China Trek (Beijing, China, Asia)

December 2025 - Half Ironman (Perth, Australia, Australasia)

February 2026 - Kilimanjaro Mountain Climb (Kilamanjaro, Tanzania, Africa)

May 2026 - 50k Ultramarathon (London, England, Europe)

This will be entirely self funded having saved the resources to do so. I aim to raise money throughout the whole process, giving Callum’s family access to the resources they need for Callum’s healthcare. I will also be personally contributing to Callum’s cause but this is where you come into it.

I ask at the very most that you dive as deep into your pockets as you can and at the very least that you share my page, for Callum.

Callum’s story is below. This is directly off of the main gofundme page that was created by his family. The aim of my page is to gain the traction of that a wonderful young man deserves for being such an inspiration to us all. His attitude and determination to kick cancer into touch is something special. He is, I repeat, an inspiration.

That’s it from me for now. I will see you on the other side. I’ll be somewhere, running, trekking, swimming, cycling or climbing, for Callum.

Instagram: @racearoundtomsworld

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My name is Sarah-Jane and I'm mum to Callum and William. I'm raising funds to help with treatment for my wonderful son Callum.

On the 20th of January 2025, I received a phone call from school to collect Callum as he had a bad headache. His stepdad was nearby and went to pick him up, but quickly realised something was very wrong; Callum was completely out of character. On the way home, he suffered a seizure, and they rushed straight to A&E at Broomfield Hospital. Callum spent a week in hospital undergoing tests and scans, which initially pointed to a possible viral infection.

As Callum is only 15, we were given a follow-up MRI at Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children in London, where on the 31st of January, we were told the devastating news that Callum has a large brain tumour. A few days later, Callum had surgery to take a biopsy of the tumour. On the 11th of February, our worst fears were confirmed; Callum’s tumour is cancerous and inoperable due to its diffuse nature.

Callum is now coming towards the end of his 6-week daily radiotherapy at UCLH Teenage Cancer Centre in London and daily chemotherapy tablets. Chemotherapy will continue in cycles, but beyond that, there are currently no other treatment options available to him on the NHS.

Callum is a funny, kind, loving, friendly boy who always looks out for others. He is a brilliant big brother to William, who is only a year younger than him, and his little sister, Amelia, who is 7 years old.

Callum is in Year 10 at St John Payne School in Chelmsford, previously at St Helens Catholic Primary School in Brentwood, and loves going to school, even managing to get back for a few days after his surgery to see his friends. Callum enjoys swimming, cycling, weight training, basketball, and playing Minecraft. He’s working hard towards sitting his GCSEs next year.

This has come completely out of the blue for our family. Before the 20th of January, Callum was fit and healthy and didn’t have any other symptoms. This has completely turned our world upside down.

Along with our friends and family, we have been researching day and night other treatment options, including pioneering immunotherapy available abroad—in particular, in Germany.

We are now raising funds to give Callum the best chance with this alternative treatment. We believe there is hope for Callum, and anything you can do to support our family, big or small, is appreciated beyond words, whether by donating or simply sharing this page.

With Love,

Mark, Sarah-Jane, Callum, and William x