A courageous eight-year-old boy from Bromley, who survived a brain tumour diagnosed when he was just four, has helped raise thousands for research by completing a festive fun run through the heart of London.
A Family's Festive Fundraising Effort
On Saturday, December 2, Varden Callaghan laced up his running shoes alongside his siblings Vivienne, five, Claudia, nine, and Cameron, 11, for the Santa in the City 5km race. The family team, all dressed in Santa suits, were joined by their mother Lisa and 19 of her colleagues from VolkerFitzpatrick.
The festive route wound its way from the iconic steps of St Paul’s Cathedral, past landmarks including the Tate Modern and Shakespeare’s Globe. Their collective effort was a tremendous success, raising more than £2,000 for the charity Brain Tumour Research.
Varden's Journey from Diagnosis to Recovery
Varden's story began in April 2022 when he was diagnosed with a pilocytic astrocytoma, a type of brain tumour. He underwent a gruelling 10-hour operation at Great Ormond Street Hospital, where skilled surgeons successfully managed to remove the entire tumour.
"Varden was very lucky that the surgeons at Great Ormond Street were amazing," said his mother, Lisa, 40. "Now, he’s just like a normal eight-year-old boy, which is exactly as he should be."
Reflecting on the diagnosis, Lisa added: "When I think back to when we were very first told he had a brain tumour, I didn't know what it was and immediately thought the worst. And for a lot of people, the worst is actually the reality."
The Vital Need for Continued Research
The family's fundraiser supports a crucial cause. Brain tumours kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer. Despite this, the charity Brain Tumour Research states that historically, just 1% of the national spend on cancer research has been allocated to this disease.
Lisa is now backing the charity's Christmas Appeal to fund pioneering work at its Centres of Excellence. She emphasised the importance of continuing to raise funds and awareness, saying it reminds her family "how lucky we are."
For Varden, the run was a proud achievement. "He can go into his class and show his medal and say that he’s raised money for Brain Tumour Research which is going to help other children that have brain tumours," Lisa explained.
The young survivor even has a unique perspective on the scar from his life-saving surgery. "He’s got a big scar on the back of his head and children do ask about it. For him, that’s his superhero scar," his mother said.
Charlie Allsebrook, from Brain Tumour Research, congratulated the team: "We are pleased Varden is doing so well, and we congratulate him and everyone who ran Santa in the City to raise money for vital research. Every contribution to our Christmas appeal will make a real difference."
