Angus’s Story
Angus’s brain tumour was discovered after he started to experience pains in his legs and dizziness, and episodes of vomiting. He became lethargic, too, which was extremely unlike him. Angus was diagnosed with DIPG, the second most common type of high grade brain tumour in children, which is now known as Diffuse Midline Glioma. His shocked family were told he had just six weeks to live.
His brother, Fergus, has pledged to raise funds in memory of Angus by taking on yearly fitness challenges.
“Angus had boundless energy, a great sense of humour and pro-active in all that he did and enjoyed. He had a kind nature and was very protective of his sister and friends. He was quite mischievous at times which only added to his charms.
“His tumour was in the middle of the brain stem, and inoperable.
“Angus’s MRI scans travelled the world in efforts to save his life, sadly to no avail. He underwent radiotherapy, and was given steroids, but sadly Angus died in my parents’ arms at home on 21st November 1998, just six and a half months after his diagnosis.” Fergus
The Angus James Gibson Trust
Angus’s family have set up a new Supporter Group, The Angus James Gibson trust, to raise funds for paediatric brain tumours. Angus’s Dad, Hamish Gibson, explained:
“We have started the Angus James Gibson Trust to start an on-going campaign to raise money specifically for Paediatric Research, to help develop treatment protocols for these extremely aggressive forms of brain tumour, in memory of our dear son.
“Angus was a delightful boy, full of energy with a real zest for life. He was a handsome boy with blond hair and blue eyes, with a great sense of humour and a fondness for practical jokes. He was very brave throughout his ordeal, particularly when having his radiotherapy treatment over many weeks at Southampton. As we parked the car he would put on his cap and say, ‘let’s go Dad!’. As he liked practical jokes, I recall him going into the hospital reception placing a large toy black spider on the desk and eagerly awaiting the ladies’ reactions! When he was ill, he was given a tour of the aircraft carrier HMS Invincible. He was introduced to Admiral Sir Jock Slater, First Sea Lord, on the visit who showed him his telescope. Angus looked at it and said ‘I have a bigger one that that’ much to the amusement of the other senior naval officers who were present. He would have been a joy to watch growing older and developing into a fine young man. Such a tragedy to be robbed of life at such a young age and for ourselves as parents not to see him grow up.
“I sincerely hope that new and effective treatments can be found for Diffuse Midline Glioma and for all other paediatric brain tumours and that greater funding can be raised in the future.”
Fitness Challenges to raise Funds
Last year, Fergus and his friend, Finlay, cycled 300 miles from London to Paris, raising over £7,000 in the process.
This year, Fergus took on half marathons in Wales, Scotland and England. After completing the Snowdon Half in May, the Scottish Half Marathon in Edinburgh in August, he rounded things off by running The Big Half in London, on September 1st. Snowden was by far the toughest of the three, with mountainous terrain and an extra 2.5 miles added to the usual 13.1 miles half marathon distance! Fergus said: “Each year, I intend to pursue a new challenge in memory of Angus, and to continue supporting the brilliant work that The Brain Tumour Charity carries out daily.”
Find out more about our Supporter Groups here: