THE mother of a baby who is undergoing treatment for brain cancer has praised a group of 28 people who took part in a 24-mile challenge.

Louise Marin, mother of Billy, said how more than £6,700 raised from the Yorkshire Three Peaks challenge would “take the pressure” off the family.

Mrs Marin, along with husband Daniel Marin, their children Alivia, 10, and Olly, 9, have been living between the RVI hospital in Newcastle and their home in Billingham.

Darlington and Stockton Times:

The Marin family

The mother-of-three, who had to leave her job to care for her son, said the fundraising efforts would “make the family's lives easier”.

Billy, who was diagnosed with brain cancer in November last year, had to undergo a 10-and-a-half hour operation to remove his tumour, just 24-hours after diagnosis.

Mrs Marin said: “He was vomiting, always having his head to the side.

"The consultant at the RVI said Billy’s tumour had been there for six weeks and that it had developed really quick.

“We went to the hospital around ten times and it was on November 14, he had an MRI scan because he was arching his back with his neck to the side, when they found the tumour.

“We had to keep going backwards and forwards to the hospital, all that time.

"It was a shock, it felt really surreal.

"You don’t want to be told that about your kids."

After his major operation, Billy spent around three weeks in intensive care, before being discharged from hospital.

He began Chemotherapy treatment in December, but will undergo an intensive course of chemotherapy later this year.

Mrs Marin said: “He’s in hospital at least three days if not more each week.

"We have lived at the hospital more than what we have been at home.

"He hasn’t physically had anything to eat for six months."

Understanding Billy's situation, Mrs Marin's friend and former colleague, Katie Lupton came up with the idea to start a fundraiser to support the family.

“My friend said ‘I hope you don’t mind but I am looking to get a fundraiser started’ – she was amazed at everything I had to do.”

Darlington and Stockton Times:

The walkers taking on the challenge

On Saturday, June 8, a group of people gathered by Ms Lupton set off on the Yorkshire Three Peaks at 4.15am.

The challenge, which involves a 24 mile walk across Pen-y-Ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough peaks over an ascent of 5,200ft, is usually completed within a day.

It remains a challenge that walkers try to beat in under 12 hours, but due to its testing nature, not everyone who attempts it is successful.

Ms Lupton said: “We all thought, if we weren’t doing it for Billy we would have stopped. We raised a lot of money, the weather was horrendous. There were hailstones, strong winds and rain. It was emotionally draining. So far, we’ve managed to raise about £6,700.”

Ms Lupton said a couple of walkers had to stop part-way through the challenge, but the remaining 26 members managed to complete it between 11 hours and 12 and a half hours.

A JustGiving page has since been set up to support Billy and his family.