Brave Phoebe steps out in her mum's memory

A brave little girl who lost her mum to a brain tumour marked what would have been her 33rd birthday with a sponsored walk to help raise funds to find a cure for the disease.
Phoebe Hope Vines with some of her friends and family.Phoebe Hope Vines with some of her friends and family.
Phoebe Hope Vines with some of her friends and family.

Phoebe Hope Vines is being brought up by grandparents Claire and Steve Vines who live in Tetford.

The eight-year-old has earned praise after completing an eight-mile hike from Skegness to Ingoldmells on October 7 with 13 friends and family members.

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To date, Phoebe has raised close to £5,000 to help find a cure.

Phoebe’s mum, Becky, was diagnosed at the age of 23 with a glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), a highly aggressive brain tumour.

She defied the odds and gave birth to ‘miracle baby’ Phoebe and outlived her bleak 12-month prognosis, surviving for nine years.

She underwent surgery three times and endured many months of chemotherapy and radiotherapy...but nothing could save her.

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Becky passed away aged 31 at the home she and Phoebe shared with Claire and Steve.

Claire said: “It was such a shock to learn that brain tumours kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer – with Becky being one of them.

“Historically, just 1% of the national spend on cancer research, has been allocated to this devastating disease, which is absolutely not right.

“I am so proud of what Phoebe is doing for Brain Tumour Research in Becky’s memory.

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“Phoebe had always known she was going to lose her mum and now Steve and I are her moma and popa.

“Becky’s tumour was stable for six years, but its presence was always there, casting a shadow, and it was as if we were living on a knife-edge.

“The walk felt like something positive to do after a difficult day remembering Becky on her birthday.

“Phoebe has raised over £4,700 to date, including taking part in Brain Tumour Research’s Grand Union Canal Walk of Hope just a couple of months after losing her mum to help find a cure for brain tumours and bring hope to future patients.

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“We hope people will be kind enough to help her reach her target of £5,000.”

Michael Thelwall, Head of Community Fundraising at Brain Tumour Research, said: “We are very grateful to Phoebe and Claire for their continued support.

“Becky’s story reminds us that for too long, brain tumours have been a neglected cancer.

“The money raised by Phoebe will help us to fund dedicated UK Research Centres of Excellence where scientists are focused on improving outcomes for patients and, ultimately, finding a cure.”

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