Schoolboy fundraiser helps open new hospital tumour unit

The research unit, based in Leeds, officially opens today and is a significant boost for work into understanding and treating brain tumours at a time when the prognosis for the most aggressive growths is no better than it was 45 years ago.

The unit is based at the Leeds Institute of Molecular Medicine at St James’s Hospital and two local charities, Candlelighters and Andrea’s Gift, have raised £750,0000 to fund the project with Leeds University for five years.

George who lives in Little Ribston, near Wetherby, set himself a target of raising £50,000 for Candlelighters, and has already collected more than £40,000.

He was diagnosed with a rare brain tumour in 2008 and underwent 81 weeks of treatment at St James’s.

These days, he is doing well back at school and able to play rugby – but still finds writing hard.

His dad, Roger Stocker, a trustee of Candlelighters says: “If by doing what we can to stop other people going through what we have gone through that would be amazing.”

Brain tumours in children are the leading cause of cancer mortality. The research will be led by scientist Sean Lawler.

Reece Dinsdale, who played Joe McIntyre, in Coronation Street, has given his support saying: “There are only a handful of research centres in the country, it is brilliant that one is finally in Leeds.”