A charity hero who has raised more than £200,000 for people in need is helping a young mum diagnosed with a brain tumour while pregnant.
Shane Yerrell, who is Mayor of Waltham Abbey, Essex, is raising money to ensure Bethany Wright, 26 and partner Cameron, 28, can walk down the aisle together before her health deteriorates.
Mum-of-one Bethany, from Glasgow, was diagnosed with a brain tumour at 34 weeks pregnant after suffering severe headaches throughout her life. Following the birth of her son Alfie, on March 28, surgeons were able to operate on the 26-year-old and removed 85 per cent of the tumour.
Soon after, it was confirmed the community nurse had a grade 3 astrocytoma – a fast-growing, aggressive tumour in the central nervous system. Since, she has underwent 33 sessions of radiotherapy and she is now undergoing chemotherapy.
Previously, we reported that Bethany was making a ‘memory box’ for her son, as she fears she won’t be around to see him grow up. Shane revealed he read of her plight in the Daily Record and was inspired to help.
The 41-year-old – who has climbed the Great Wall of China to raise funds for The James Bulger Memorial Trust and helped raise hundreds of pounds for three East Kilbride kids whose mum’s home was robbed just days after she died – has now launched a just giving page. He is looking to raise case to ensure Bethany can marry her partner Cameron as soon as possible.
Speaking to the Record, he said: “It’s heartbreaking that she’s a young mum and she was diagnosed when she was pregnant.
“I reached out and asked whether there were any wishes that she had, and it was explained to me that she wants to get married before her health deteriorates. Wedding’s aren’t cheap and I can’t guarantee the money, but I’m a fundraiser and I just wanted to help in any way I could.
“If it was me – I’d be exactly the same, what better memory than to marry your partner and I’d love to help make that happen.”
Shane explained that discovering Bethany was creating a memory box for her 10-month-old son broke his heart and he had to step in.
He added: “What upset me the most was that she’s just gone into motherhood and been diagnosed with this horrific disease, and is now creating a memory box for her son, as she worries she won’t see him grow up.”
Shane has been fundraising for around 14 years after he was a victim of a knife attack in 2007 and explained that he wanted to turn his experience into a positive by supporting others.
He said: “Around a year after the attack, I climbed Mount Kilimanjaro for in memory of Rob Knox who was murdered in 2008 and I got just as much of a buzz passing over the money as I did reaching the summit of Kilimanjaro and it’s now just turned into my passion.
“I’ve now raised over £200,000 and there’s just so many people out there that need help.”
You can donate to Bethany here.
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