Raising funds for Tom Walker
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Tom's Story
Tom is 37 years old, married to Jackie with two boys Ollie (9) and Finlay (5). Their family home is in Ystrad Mynach, Hengoed, but Tom was originally born and raised in Wrexham.
Tom studied Sports Coaching and played rugby for UWIC between 1998-2001. He is also a former rugby player at Llandovery RFC, where he played 164 games between 2001 & 2009. One of his most memorable playing moments was winning the Welsh Cup for Llandovery in 2007.
Tom is currently employed at the Celtic Manor Resort, Newport, where he's a Leisure Membership Sales Manager. Tom has been working at the Resort for over ten years and played a key role in bringing the Ryder Cup to Wales.
In January 2016, following a spell of feeling unwell with headaches and vertigo, Tom was diagnosed with a brain tumour - he underwent a successful operation at UHW Cardiff followed by 6 weeks of radiotherapy.
Tom made a strong recovery and returned to work, but subsequently he suffered with further symptoms, and by the beginning of 2017 there was another suspected tumour at the top of his spine. An operation determined that the tumour was Intramedullary (inside the spinal cord) and thus the operation was unsuccessful. Further investigation also considered that the mass could also be scar tissue resulting from the radiotherapy. Tom deteriorated quite quickly, losing use of his legs, so then underwent treatment to reduce the swelling in his spinal cord.
Whilst the treatment he received helped alleviate swelling in the cord, symptoms did not improve, and recent investigations have confirmed that tumour is present within the spinal cord and also depositing in the brain. Tom is now paralysed from the chest down, with weakening of the upper limbs. As a result he hasn’t walked or stood unaided for some time, relying now solely on a motorised wheelchair to get around. Tom is currently receiving chemotherapy and is based at Ystrad Mynach Hospital.
His friends and former rugby colleagues are looking to raise funds to support Tom and his family with a number of organise events.
Challenge: "Llandovery to the Manor"
Tom is one of the nicest guys you will meet and has always been a kind and loving family man. This illness has been heartbreaking - so please dig deep to help support Tom and his family.
A number of Tom's University friends are looking to help raise money and complete an endurance walk which will total 60 miles in less than 24 hours.
The charity walk will begin in Tom's former Rugby Club, Llandovery, at approximately 20:00hrs on Friday 1st December and end at the Celtic Manor Resort, Newport the following afternoon, Saturday 2nd December.
As if 60 miles isn't hard enough... the team also plan to walk across the Brecon Beacons and Pen Y Fan in the middle of the night. Then onto Tom's Home and Ystrad Mynach Hospital, ending the final mile with Tom at the Celtic Manor Resort.
The challenge will begin on Friday 1st December and end on Saturday 2nd December.
All friends and family are welcome to join us for the charity walk or part of the walk so please get in touch if you want to join us.
All kind donations will be used to assist Tom and his family and to make things a little easier moving forward...
Thank you for your support !!!
Tom is 37 years old, married to Jackie with two boys Ollie (9) and Finlay (5). Their family home is in Ystrad Mynach, Hengoed, but Tom was originally born and raised in Wrexham.
Tom studied Sports Coaching and played rugby for UWIC between 1998-2001. He is also a former rugby player at Llandovery RFC, where he played 164 games between 2001 & 2009. One of his most memorable playing moments was winning the Welsh Cup for Llandovery in 2007.
Tom is currently employed at the Celtic Manor Resort, Newport, where he's a Leisure Membership Sales Manager. Tom has been working at the Resort for over ten years and played a key role in bringing the Ryder Cup to Wales.
In January 2016, following a spell of feeling unwell with headaches and vertigo, Tom was diagnosed with a brain tumour - he underwent a successful operation at UHW Cardiff followed by 6 weeks of radiotherapy.
Tom made a strong recovery and returned to work, but subsequently he suffered with further symptoms, and by the beginning of 2017 there was another suspected tumour at the top of his spine. An operation determined that the tumour was Intramedullary (inside the spinal cord) and thus the operation was unsuccessful. Further investigation also considered that the mass could also be scar tissue resulting from the radiotherapy. Tom deteriorated quite quickly, losing use of his legs, so then underwent treatment to reduce the swelling in his spinal cord.
Whilst the treatment he received helped alleviate swelling in the cord, symptoms did not improve, and recent investigations have confirmed that tumour is present within the spinal cord and also depositing in the brain. Tom is now paralysed from the chest down, with weakening of the upper limbs. As a result he hasn’t walked or stood unaided for some time, relying now solely on a motorised wheelchair to get around. Tom is currently receiving chemotherapy and is based at Ystrad Mynach Hospital.
His friends and former rugby colleagues are looking to raise funds to support Tom and his family with a number of organise events.
Challenge: "Llandovery to the Manor"
Tom is one of the nicest guys you will meet and has always been a kind and loving family man. This illness has been heartbreaking - so please dig deep to help support Tom and his family.
A number of Tom's University friends are looking to help raise money and complete an endurance walk which will total 60 miles in less than 24 hours.
The charity walk will begin in Tom's former Rugby Club, Llandovery, at approximately 20:00hrs on Friday 1st December and end at the Celtic Manor Resort, Newport the following afternoon, Saturday 2nd December.
As if 60 miles isn't hard enough... the team also plan to walk across the Brecon Beacons and Pen Y Fan in the middle of the night. Then onto Tom's Home and Ystrad Mynach Hospital, ending the final mile with Tom at the Celtic Manor Resort.
The challenge will begin on Friday 1st December and end on Saturday 2nd December.
All friends and family are welcome to join us for the charity walk or part of the walk so please get in touch if you want to join us.
All kind donations will be used to assist Tom and his family and to make things a little easier moving forward...
Thank you for your support !!!
Organizer and beneficiary
Richard John
Organizer
Jacqueline Walker
Beneficiary
