A mother experiencing difficulty speaking during a work meeting was surprised to learn that her speech problem was due to the presence of eight brain tumors. Laura Critchley, aged 40 and serving as the director of SEND at a multi-academy trust, faced challenges articulating herself while leading a Teams meeting. Following this incident, she was escorted to her car by a colleague but struggled to start it, leading to an urgent visit to Doncaster Royal Infirmary. Subsequent scans at the hospital revealed multiple brain tumors, initially feared to be terminal cancer. However, a reassessment by specialists at Sheffield’s Royal Hallamshire Hospital provided a more hopeful perspective.
Scheduled for surgery on November 19, Laura is set to undergo a procedure to remove seven of the eight brain tumors. The goal is to understand the underlying cause of their growth. In support of his partner, Lee Vaughan, aged 50, is participating in Brain Tumour Research’s 99 Miles November challenge to raise awareness and has already gathered £2,000 in donations.
Lee, employed by a manufacturing business in Swinton, Greater Manchester, recounted the events that led to Laura’s diagnosis. After experiencing speech difficulties during a work presentation in May 2025, an MRI scan revealed seven tumors on the left side of Laura’s brain, responsible for speech control, and one deep-seated tumor. Further tests ruled out genetic disorders and specific tumor markers, leading to the decision for surgical intervention due to Laura’s age and good health.
With two sons, aged 10 and 7, the family has tried to maintain a sense of normalcy during this challenging time. Lee has engaged in the 99 Miles challenge, aiming to complete daily steps to raise funds for brain tumor research. The goal is to raise £2,740, equivalent to funding a day of research at Brain Tumour Research’s facilities.
Lee expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support received from friends, family, and colleagues during this difficult period. He emphasized the importance of contributing to a cause that could benefit other families facing similar challenges. Brain Tumour Research’s community development manager, Ashley McWilliams, commended Lee’s determination to make a positive impact through his fundraising efforts.
Individuals interested in supporting Lee in the 99 Miles in November challenge can visit the JustGiving page.