Bushey schoolboy raises £2,000 to thank doctors who treated tumour

After experiencing painful headaches, seven-year-old Sean Mulcrone, from Bushey, was told in July that he had a large tumour.

MRI scans showed Sean had a growth on the back of his head and after attending A&E at Barnet Hospital, doctors said he needed surgery.

Sean was taken to Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) where he successfully underwent an operation before retuning home on July 21.

Sean in hospital

His mum Colette said: “Sean had been having these tests because he was having headaches, often in the morning, which I have learnt is a red flag.

“Until someone confirms the worst, you are hoping for the best, but we were devastated to learn [about the tumour]. He had been at a party only the night before.”

Astrocytoma is the most common type of brain or spinal tumour in children and pilocytic astrocytoma, which Sean had, is often benign and slow-growing.

Sean with his five-year-old sister Alanna

Colette continued: “We did feel in very safe hands at Great Ormond Street and I’m fully aware not every child who has a child tumour has this outcome. It can be an unimaginable time and we were fortunate our experience only lasted 18 days.”

Sean said he was pleased doctors found a tumour because it meant they knew what was needed to stop his headaches

Since his operation, Sean has been recovering well and in August, with the support of his family, he carried out 18 challenges to raise money for the Royal Free Trust, which runs Barnet Hospital, and GOSH.

Some of these included reading 18 books, picking up 18 pieces of litter, writing 18 sentences, going to 18 new places, and helping his mum 18 times.

A keen football fan, his favourite challenges were playing 18 minutes of football and scoring 18 goals against his mum.

Sean at Vicarage Road at the weekend to watch Watford play against QPR

Sean said he was “proud” by what he had achieved and was thankful to the doctors and says he does not have headaches anymore, though he will continue to have scans.

Of her son’s fundraising efforts, which has seen £2,221 raised via Just Giving, Colette said: “We are just all in awe, astounded at how brave he has been.

“It has been amazing to raise this money and we are grateful to everyone who has donated.”

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