More than £8,000 has been raised for Yorkshire's Brain Tumour Charity by Cllr Roberta Swiers - last year's chair of North Yorkshire Council.
Cllr Swiers, the elected member for the Cayton division, collected £8,080 through fundraising activities during her year in office, including raffles, bake sales and charity events.
The charity is one that holds personal significance for her family.
Her son Craig was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumour at the age of 24, after experiencing headaches for more than a decade.
The tumour was discovered following an industrial accident at his workplace which led to hospital treatment.
Cllr Swiers said:
“It was a very worrying time for our family and we were in disbelief.
“It’s news no-one wants to hear and the biggest shock was that he could have had the tumour growing inside his brain since he was a teenager.
“Looking back, he used to complain about mild headaches and tiredness.
“The symptoms increased rapidly after his accident at work, but we just put it down to the aftereffects of the number of operations he had.
“It was a lot to deal with at the time. He was self-conscious of the scars left after the arm surgery and then had to deal with this new diagnosis and the treatment ahead.”
The tumour could not be removed and Craig underwent extensive radiotherapy. The side effects continue 25 years later, and he remains under medical care.
He is now 52, married with two children, and volunteers with the charity to support others in the Scarborough area.
Cllr Swiers said:
“During my year of office and before I stepped down in May, the Yorkshire’s Brain Tumour Charity was my chosen charity so that I could raise awareness of the support it can provide to families during devastating times of a diagnosis and treatment.
“I am delighted with the amount raised and I would like to thank all officers and elected members at the council for supporting this life-saving cause.”
Yorkshire’s Brain Tumour Charity funds research and provides support for patients and families.
Chief executive David Grant-Roberts said:
“We’re incredibly grateful to North Yorkshire Council for choosing to support Yorkshire’s Brain Tumour Charity and raising such an amazing amount.
“Their generosity and community spirit will make a huge difference to families across the region affected by a brain tumour diagnosis.”
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