Family living 'a nightmare' after three-year-old diagnosed with brain tumour

'Sean and I just thought it was epilepsy, we never even thought it could have been a tumour and this is why I want to raise awareness'

A Nottinghamshire family have been living "a nightmare" after their daughter was diagnosed with a brain tumour. In September 2023, Poppy Palmer, now three years old, began suffering from seizures.

Her mum, Laura Denny, of Mansfield Woodhouse, explained: "We were literally bringing her into A&E every night and ringing consultants every day." It was not until April 2024 that Poppy was given an MRI scan at Kings Mill Hospital, in which a brain tumour was found.

The 28-year-old continued: "Sean and I just thought it was epilepsy, we never even thought it could have been a tumour and this is why I want to raise awareness." The parents were "broken" by the news, and had to wait weeks so that Poppy could have another scan to determine how fast the tumour was growing.

The family were told it was growing "quickly" and surgery was later scheduled for Tuesday, September 24, at Queen's Medical Centre, which Poppy has now had. It is understood that the operation was a success and most if not all of the tumour was removed.

Laura, who works as an administrator, described the whole situation as being "a nightmare" and said that for months it was a "battle" to have Poppy scanned and assessed.

Friends of the family, Mollie Thorpe and Shelby McBride, were devastated to see what the family was going through and decided to set up a GoFundMe page to raise money for Poppy as well as the Brain Tumour Charity.

Mollie, 24, said: "Poppy is my best friend's little girl and she was suffering for a few months with vacant seizures, her mum couldn't understand what they were and was taking her in and out of the hospital trying to figure out what it was." Speaking about Poppy, she added: "She is the most beautiful little girl and she had a smile on her face through it all, you would never have thought that anything was wrong."

She continued: "They have all had a really horrible year and to have to go through that as parents, I don't know how, as a friend it was heartbreaking to see her go through it." The GoFundMe page has raised more than £2,500 so far, with Mollie describing the response as "amazing."

The family are "extremely grateful and appreciative" to everyone who has taken the time to read and donate to the fundraiser. They hope to use the money to buy some items for the E40 ward at Queen's Medical Centre from its wish list, as well as for donations to the Brain Tumour Charity.

Laura added: "It's been amazing, absolutely amazing. Alongside the fundraiser that Mollie and Shelby have set up, we have organised a family fun day for next year as we were not sure how long Poppy would need to recover. It will be at a school sports field and so many people have already donated with stuff for the raffle and tombola prizes."

The event will take place at the Debdale Sports Club in Mansfield Woodhouse on May 18, 2025.