A Swansea woman is preparing to take on a 10,000ft skydive to raise vital funds and awareness for charity. Harleigh Phillips, who works for Swansea Council, is taking the leap following a family emergency on a holiday in America.
Her brother-in-law, Ashley Curtis, collapsed with a seizure during a cruise to celebrate his 30th birthday. Doctors later discovered he had a brain tumour which required urgent surgery far from home. Now, his brave family member is aiming to skydive on June 28 to support Brain Tumour Research. The date marks exactly two years since Ashley underwent a second surgery back in Wales.
Devoted Couple
Ashley and Casey faced a terrifying ordeal when Ashley fell ill on holiday. Ashley, a self-employed plumber and father of two, was rushed to a Miami hospital after falling ill on the final day of his trip in March 2024. Harleigh and her parents had to make the heart-breaking decision to fly home with the children while Ashley remained in America with his wife, Casey.
After spending a month recovering in the USA, Ashley returned home to Swansea for further treatment. Scans at the University Hospital of Wales showed more of the tumour could be removed, leading to an awake craniotomy on June 28, 2024.
Following the operation, Ashley temporarily lost feeling on his left side and required extensive physiotherapy. Two years later, he is back at work, playing football, and undergoing routine six-monthly scans.
Family Time
Ashley with his two children Leilah and Leo. Ashley said: "Being told I had a brain tumour was terrifying, especially being so far from home in another country. Everything happened so quickly and it felt like our whole world had been turned upside down overnight. The surgeries and recovery were incredibly tough, but I’m grateful to still be here and able to get back to doing the things I love with my family."
Harleigh has already raised more than £1,000 for the charity ahead of her big jump. She said: "You never think it will happen to your family. Brain tumours come out of nowhere. But there is hope. There are people living with brain tumours for 10 or 15 years and living fulfilling lives. It’s not always doom and gloom. Ashley has shown incredible strength through everything he’s faced."
She added: "I’m nervous about jumping from 10,000 feet, but it will be an amazing experience and it’s all for such an important cause. Raising awareness is just as important as raising funds."
Medical Diagnosis
Ashley's brain scan. Brain tumours kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer, yet just 1 per cent of the national spend on cancer research has historically been allocated to the disease. The family are also supporting a special manifesto calling for greater investment in research and improved outcomes for patients across Wales.
Road to Recovery
Ashley is back at work and playing football after his surgery. Ashley commented: "Brain tumours can affect anyone and our family knows first-hand how quickly life can change. We’re supporting the manifesto because more research and investment is desperately needed so that families like ours can have more hope for the future."
The funds raised will help scientists at the University of Plymouth look into low-grade tumours to pave the way for better treatments. Letty Greenfield, community development manager for Brain Tumour Research, said: "Harleigh’s skydive is an incredibly brave and meaningful way to honour Ashley’s journey while helping to raise awareness of brain tumours and the devastating impact they can have on families. The money she raises will help work taking place at the Brain Tumour Research Centre of Excellence at the University of Plymouth, where scientists are investigating low-grade glioma, which includes oligodendroglioma, to pave the way for more effective treatments. We are incredibly grateful to Harleigh and everyone supporting her fundraising efforts."
The charity is campaigning for a national annual spend of £35 million to improve survival rates in line with other cancers. You can support Harleigh's fundraising efforts by visiting her dedicated JustGiving page online.
