WHY MILES IS SUPPORTING OUR CHILDRENS APPEAL
16 July 2025
"My name is Miles. I’m 23, and seven years ago, when I was just 16, my life changed overnight. I’d been suffering for months with headaches, vomiting and exhaustion. Doctors said it was GCSE stress, hormones – even self-harming. But one night in A&E, after vomiting again, my dad kept saying, ‘Something’s not right.’
Eventually, it was found I had a satsuma-sized tumour in my brain, and it was terrifying! I was immediately transferred to St George’s Hospital. The next morning, I underwent 10 hours of brain surgery to remove it. The surgery was successful, but complications followed. I developed a brain haemorrhage and required emergency surgery again.
I have very little memory of the next six weeks of my life…I spent the first two in a coma. No one was sure what was happening with my body. I was holding my breath, I managed to collapse one of my lungs and got air bubbles throughout my body, and a mouth infection. I don’t remember a second of it. Then, two more weeks in the PICU step-down unit. And finally, two weeks on Nicholls Ward, slowly regaining consciousness.
During that time, despite receiving the most patient and attentive care from staff, there were definitely things that could have made both mine and my parents' stay more comfortable. For instance:
- I had only one shower because there were no walk-in facilities. My parents had to get into the cubicle with me.
- There was no en-suite in my room, so I had to sit on a commode
- There was no pleasant or private space for my parents to rest and make food
- There was no place for therapy except the bedside
- There was harsh, bright lighting and constant noise that made it hard for my brain to begin healing.
I had severe Posterior Fossa Syndrome – a rare complication. I was completely locked in, but still aware. Due to not being able to speak, I had to communicate via a tablet. This chokes me up to this day, I had to point individually to each letter to spell the first sentence I had communicated with my family for 5 weeks – ‘Thank you for finally understanding me.’ Eventually, we got the diagnosis: Grade 4 Medulloblastoma – an aggressive brain cancer. Only about 50 children a year are diagnosed with it in the UK.
Today, I’m proud to say I am still cancer-free. I’ve had to relearn how to walk, talk, and even understand emotion. I am proud to say I returned to school, re-sat my GCSEs and A levels, and today, I’m a self-employed swimming teacher. I am still rebuilding – but I am standing here. And I’m only able to do that because of the extraordinary staff at St George’s Hospital.
It’s why my family and friends set up the ‘Miles for Miles’ fundraising campaign for the children’s wards while I was still in the hospital – because we knew first-hand how much change was needed. They swam, cycled, baked, shaved heads and raised over £80,000. I’m so proud to be part of the Time for a Change Appeal. Because we want to see en-suites in every bay. Age-appropriate spaces. Spaces for therapy. Quiet places for patients and parents. Spaces that can provide more dignity, even during the most undignified moments.
This isn’t some distant dream. It’s happening now, in 2025. But we need your help to reach the £5 million target. So please – give generously. Because your support will make a real and lasting difference. Seven years ago, my life changed overnight. And what I remember most is the kindness of the staff made all the difference, but we need facilities that match that outstanding care.”
Time for a change
Thanks to everyone’s generosity, we only have £1.7m left to raise for our Time for a Change appeal, to begin the transformation of Pinckney Ward and Nicholls Ward. With your support, you will help us create world-class facilities that match our world-class care. Please donate to change the lives of families and patients like Miles, who recognise that change is urgently needed.
