Posted on: 27 Jul 2021
A local man is taking on our Big QMC Abseil to raise money for Nottingham Children’s Hospital, where both his niece and his daughter have been treated for brain tumours.
Steve Hunkin, from Hucknall, will scale almost 100 feet down one of the UK’s tallest hospitals on Saturday 18 September, to thank NHS staff for the care given to his loved ones.
Steve’s daughter Abbie, aged seven, was diagnosed with a brain tumour in September 2020, during a routine MRI as part of an epilepsy diagnosis. Abbie stayed on Ward E40 at Nottingham Children’s Hospital for 12 days, during which time a small section of the tumour was removed, and was found to be non-cancerous.
Abbie Hunkin after her surgery
In a complete coincidence, the team who cared for Abbie was the same team who cared for her cousin, Madeline, now aged 13, when she was diagnosed and treated for a brain tumour in 2014.
Steve said: “The team on Ward E40 are the most selfless, incredible, caring and brilliant team you could wish for. The wonderful team of surgeons operated on, and saved the life of, two of the most beautiful young ladies, and for that we will be forever grateful.
“Madeline has fought a long hard battle, but continues to thrive and gets stronger each day. Abbie’s latest scan shows there has been no regrowth of the tumour and the epilepsy caused by the tumour is well managed. She is dancing, swimming and biking as any seven-year-old should do, and her strength and spirit is unbreakable.”
Steve Hunkin and niece Madeline
To say thank you for the care his daughter and niece have received, Steve decided to sign up to the Big QMC Abseil and raise money for Nottingham Children’s Hospital. He is being supported by his employer, G & N Medical, who are making a donation and helping share his story.
You can sponsor Steve today or find out more about our Big QMC Abseil.
Good luck Steve!