Richard Moorcroft had no idea what to expect when his then nine-year-old daughter, Sophia, was diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumour.

Thursday, 15 May 2025 14:50

By Dylan Connell

The news felt like “being punched in the stomach”, says Richard, from Strensall. Sophia, now 12,

- is back at school and looking ahead to her teen years, having undergone a 13-hour operation, radio therapy and four rounds of high dose chemotherapy to remove the brain tumour.

Alarm bells sounded when she “wasn’t herself” for months before her diagnosis in November 2022, suffering from regular headaches and migraines, Richard says.

She saw a paediatrician who recommended an MRI scan as a precaution.

But a day after the scan, the family was told to take her to Leeds General Infirmary for more checks.

Richard, 45, who works for Lloyds Bank in Leeds, admits that the journey to hospital was terrifying but says: “We, really, just had to do it.”

Sophia was diagnosed with a brain tumour, and the next day underwent the 13-hour surgery to remove about 60 per cent of it.

The family continued to navigate the developments, Richard says. “You kind of go into battle, I guess.”

Sophia remained in hospital for a week to recover from surgery.

'It’s been quite profound': new support for York dads of children with brain tumours

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