A BRAIN tumour survivor has spoken for the first time about his “lucky escape” after being diagnosed at the age of 20 months

Charlie Boutwood, from Horam, was diagnosed with a high-grade medulloblastoma brain tumour after two months of falling over and being sick.

A CT scan before his second birthday revealed an enormous tumour in his brain.

His parents Nigel and Nettie were warned it was highly likely he wouldn’t survive surgery, and if he did, he’d likely be left unable to talk, swallow or move his limbs, and could be blind.

Nigel, a trustee of Brain Tumour Research, said an eight-hour emergency operation only succeeded in removing 75 per cent of the tumour.

“But Charlie came through it and was able to raise his arm and say ‘mummy’ immediately afterwards, which was a fantastic relief,” Nigel said.

Charlie then underwent a year of chemotherapy, followed by six weeks of radiotherapy.

But now Charlie is looking forward to celebrating his 30th birthday party on September 27.

The Argus: Charlie Boutwood (right), from Horam, was diagnosed with a high-grade medulloblastoma brain tumour after two months Charlie Boutwood (right), from Horam, was diagnosed with a high-grade medulloblastoma brain tumour after two months

This falls during Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, which runs from September 1 to 30,

“So many children diagnosed with a brain tumour are much less fortunate, either living with life-long effects from surgery or treatment, or worse, not making it,” Nigel added

“We feel incredibly lucky that Charlie made a full recovery and is enjoying life as a young adult.”

Nigel said when Charlie was going through his treatment, it was difficult to witness families losing their children.

The family has since set up Charlie’s Challenge - a member charity of Brain Tumour Research which helps improve outcomes for children diagnosed with a brain tumour.

Charlie said he counts himself as “one of the really lucky ones”.

He said: “I am proud to be an ambassador for the cause – so many brain tumour charities are set up in memory of a loved one so Charlie’s Challenge is quite unusual - and have played my part in fundraising.”

Charlie’s Challenge has raised over £1 million to help fund research looking to find better outcomes for children with brain tumours and ultimately a cure.

“I am also proud to have joined with representatives of other brain tumour charities to campaign at Westminster for the government and larger cancer charities to invest more into this area of research,” he added.

According to Brain Tumour Research, brain tumours kill more children than leukaemia, with one in three children who die of cancer killed by a brain tumour.

Brain Tumour Research is funding research across all of its centres of excellence, which will help towards finding a cure for a wide range of brain tumours.

Charlie Allsebrook, community development manager at Brain Tumour Research said: “In sharing Charlie’s powerful story of hope, we remember the thousands of families who have faced the devastation of a childhood brain tumour diagnosis.

“To hear that a young person has been diagnosed with brain cancer is shattering.

“Hope lies in the research taking place at the Brain Tumour Research centres of excellence, which will help us get closer to a cure. But while the money continues to come in from campaigners and fundraisers, it comes from the British public, and we need more commitment from the government and larger cancer charities, to help fund the discovery science that will deliver the innovations we need in our area.”

Charlie, who is responsible for business development at JCDecaux, now lives in Wanstead.