Chantelle Broadey, from Cleethorpes, will run the Great North Run in September to raise money for The Sick Children's Trust, the charity that provided her family with accommodation during her daughter Myla's months of hospital treatment. Myla Lilly Broadey-Meears was diagnosed with an aggressive diffuse midline glioma, a rare type of cancerous brain and spinal cord tumour, in August 2025. She died on January 15, 2026, just four days after her tenth birthday.
A Devastating Diagnosis
Myla's diagnosis came after a routine eye appointment on August 10, 2025. She had been experiencing sickness, headaches, dizziness, and balance problems. She was referred to Grimsby A&E and then taken to Sheffield Children's Hospital that same evening. Chantelle, Myla's father Zak Meears, and her nannie Mandy were suddenly facing an unimaginable situation with no idea where they would stay. A nurse told them about Treetop House, one of The Sick Children's Trust's ten 'Homes from Home' at Sheffield Children's Hospital.
Chantelle said: "It was all such a blur. We had nowhere to stay and didn't know what we were doing. We were so relieved when we were offered a room because we could all stay close to Myla."
A Home from Home
During months of treatment, which included an operation removing 60% of the tumour followed by 30 rounds of radiation therapy, The Sick Children's Trust provided the family with accommodation close to Myla's bedside. They stayed first at Treetop House in Sheffield and later at Eckersley House next to Leeds Children's Hospital, after Myla's care was transferred there. The 'Homes from Home' proved especially valuable when Chantelle was also caring for her newborn baby and was offered a room suitable for the family's circumstances.
Chantelle said: "The Sick Children's Trust helped us massively. It's so important that families have the option to stay close to their children. No one wants to leave their child in hospital. Myla was surrounded by people who loved her, including her step-dad Josh, step-mum Alex, as well as nannie Mandy and grandad Paul. We took it in turns by Myla's bedside, so she was never on her own. It was somewhere to call home because we were there for months. I'll forever be thankful because it kept us close."
Honouring Myla's Memory
Despite everything she endured, Myla remained a bright, spirited little girl. Chantelle said: "She lit up every room as soon as she walked into it. She had the most infectious laugh, she was sassy, she knew exactly what she wanted, and everyone loved her. She was so loving and full of energy."
Now, Chantelle is fundraising to honour Myla's memory while helping other families. Alongside the Great North Run, she is organising 'Flump Fest' on Sunday, August 2, named after Myla's beloved nickname 'Flump', inspired by her favourite marshmallow sweets. Money raised will support the charities that stood beside the family throughout Myla's illness. She also hopes to provide care packages for parents staying in the 'Home from Home', filled with everyday essentials such as toiletries, toothbrushes, toothpaste, shower gel, and snacks. She said: "There were so many times we had nothing. I'd love to be able to give something back because I know how much those little things can mean when you're living in hospital."
The Great North Run
Chantelle will be part of a group of 10 family members and close friends running in Myla's memory. She plans to carry a flag bearing her daughter's image throughout the half-marathon. Chantelle said: "This is for Myla. I have a flag with Myla's picture on it, and I'm going to get her over that finish line."
Zak Meears, Myla's dad, said: "The Sick Children's Trust were so important in helping us stay close to Myla. Obviously, they saved us a lot of money that we would have spent on accommodation, but it was so much more than that. Occasionally, they even had meals and snacks out for the families, which was so generous and really appreciated. We were so thankful for their help."
Chantelle hopes that sharing Myla's story will raise awareness of The Sick Children's Trust and ensure more families know that help is available during the darkest moments of their lives. She said: "Myla was such a loved little girl. We have so much support, and so many people have decided to do the Great North Run for her. I just want to get Myla's story out there and help other people."
