Woman undergoing chemo fundraising for Brain Tumour Research

Charlotte Hobbs, 42, will complete 100 star jumps every day this month, in aid of Brain Tumour Research. She recently began chemotherapy following a relapse, 10 years after she was first diagnosed with the disease.

The mother-of-two, was stopped in her tracks when she was diagnosed with a grade three anaplastic astrocytoma in July 2010, after a seizure led to her being hospitalised at Heath Hospital in Cardiff and later diagnosed with a brain tumour – she left her career in policing in 2012 and pursued a career in personal training.

She had a procedure called an awake craniotomy, listening to her iPod so she couldn't hear the "terrifying noise" around her.

During the procedure she was asked to perform tasks, such as speaking and moving her hands, so the surgeon could avoid the parts of the brain which operate these functions. Nowadays, awake craniotomies usually involve the patient being put the sleep and being woken up during the operation.

Following the surgery, Ms Hobbs received six weeks of radiotherapy at Velindre Cancer Centre. She was told by her oncologist that the tumour would return, and attended regular scans to monitor its status.

In October 2020 was given the devastating news the tumour had returned, and she would need another craniotomy, along with radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

Covid meant that her most recent operation in December 2020 saw her say goodbye to her husband Dafydd at the doors to Heath Hospital.

For the six weeks leading up to the operation, her 15-year-old daughter Freya, stayed with her father in Barry, and her 10-year-old Catrin remained home-schooled to reduce the risk of her mum contracting coronavirus before and after her surgery.

Ms Hobbs said: “Being separated from Freya was tough but it meant she could continue going to school without the risk of her bringing the virus home with her, which could’ve led to a delay in my treatment.

“Luckily, we were able to reunite at Christmas, when we got back together as a family to enjoy a Christmas dinner alfresco, due to lockdown restrictions.”

Ms Hobbs will complete 3,000 star jumps throughout November all while undergoing her eighth cycle of chemotherapy.

She said: “Over the past 10 years, I’ve done several challenges to raise money for charity, but doing 100 star jumps a day during chemo will make the Three Peaks and my London to Brighton 100k walk feel like a stroll in the park.”

Within 24 hours of Ms Hobb setting up her Facebook fundraising page, she had raised more than her £3,000 target.

She plans to complete the star jumps on her own with the support of her family and will be posting regular updates on the 100 Star Jumps A Day in November Challenge Facebook page.