Charlie’s story

Kirsty said: “Charlie was just 11 months old when we received his diagnosis, 14 years ago. Before we knew it, he was having eight-hour surgery to remove a brain tumour, it was one of the worst days of my life.

Thankfully, Charlie came through the surgery and, for a time, was doing well, but the tumour returned.

Although Charlie’s tumour was benign, it has always been treated as cancerous as it’s in a high-risk location. Intensive chemotherapy followed, and we spent long stretches in and out of hospital. Charlie’s illness has affected our whole family, as we were often forced to spend long periods apart. Trying to juggle hospital stays and appointments alongside caring for my other two children, Freddie, 12 and Lyla,1, as well holding down a full-time job has been incredibly tough.

Charlie’s illness touches every part of our day-to-day family life. Even something as simple as deciding where to go for a day out involves worrying about who might be there and whether there’s a risk of infection. It also means missing out on the everyday moments you often take for granted, simple things like going swimming together.

Charlie is now on his sixth line of treatment. He’s been through two major brain surgeries, countless rounds of intensive chemotherapy, including combinations of chemo and immunotherapy. He’s been in active treatment continuously since 2019, and it’s been an incredibly long, exhausting road for all of us. His condition means that the tumours can return, which is why life continues to throw challenges at us.

We welcomed our dog Ted into our family five years ago and by chance, he arrived on Charlie’s birthday. A breeder had shared a photo of Ted online, saying they wanted to gift him to a deserving family. A friend tagged me in the post, and from that moment on, it all just fell into place. Ted shares the same birthday as Charlie’s diagnosis, which has always made it feel as though he was meant to find his way to us. He’s wonderful with the children, and during the times when Charlie was particularly unwell, Ted seemed to sense it instinctively. He would curl up beside him, making Charlie feel relaxed.

It was in 2019, during an admission to Epsom Hospital, that we were first introduced to Momentum. I still remember when Diana, our Family Support Worker from the charity, came into our room to see us. Charlie was much younger then, and Diana was so warm and kind. She brought Charlie some toys, which meant a lot to all of us. Momentum has been part of our journey ever since.

We’ve received so much support from Momentum over the years. Both Charlie and his younger brother, Freddie, have had music therapy, with sessions at home where a therapist would bring different instruments – it was such a special experience for the boys. We’ve also had sessions with a fantastic art therapist. Trying to access therapy, or fund it myself, felt like a huge challenge, but Momentum made that possible for us and really supported me when I needed it most.

We have also stayed at Momentum’s respite lodge in the New Forest which was so special – being able to spend that quality time together as a family meant a lot. The first time we went was during the COVID-19 lockdown, so it was incredibly quiet. It was just so nice to get away from home and be somewhere peaceful. The surroundings were beautiful – the nature and the calmness all helped us to recharge.

The little things that Momentum does also really make a big difference – sending the children advent calendars at Christmas, thoughtful gift cards and small treats. Just knowing that Momentum is there for us if we need them is reassuring.

Our Family Support Worker, Diana, keeps in touch and checks in regularly, which makes us feel like we are never alone. When I’m talking to Diana, it feels like I’m chatting to a friend. There are opportunities to go to coffee mornings with other parents, and we’ve been invited to whole family events too.

Momentum arranged for us to go to a Chelsea match, which was an amazing experience. The boys are both huge Chelsea supporters, so we jumped at the opportunity. The boys met some of their favourite players, had a walk on the pitch and visited the press room.

Momentum is a supportive charity that goes above and beyond for families affected by childhood illness. Whether it’s hospital visits, home visits, or simply a phone call to check in, Momentum is always there when you need them, offering kindness and reassurance.”

Charlie, 14, added: “Being invited to different experiences through Momentum has been incredible. Me and my brother both support Chelsea and we love football! Momentum arranged for us to go to Stamford Bridge to watch Chelsea versus Crystal Palace. We got to meet the players, see the press room, walk around the pitch, and have food together. It felt really special.

I’ve had a lot of overnight stays in hospital, it’s hard to remember everything clearly. The main thing I remember is when I was about eight or nine, I was given a box of toys from Momentum, which made a big difference at that time. I also remember Diana being there at the hospital, and it was always nice and reassuring to see a familiar face. Sometimes she would sit and talk to me – simple things that made a big difference.”

Charlie’s brother Freddie, 12, added:“When we went to watch Chelsea FC, on a trip organised by Momentum, it really helped to distract me from thinking about Charlie’s illness. The magic of the day meant we could really enjoy ourselves and make the most of the experience. We met Cole Palmer, Reece James and Enzo Fernandez – it was an unforgettable day.”

Story taken February 2026