Community donation aims to fund treatments beyond NHS provision
A South Shields father who is fighting an aggressive and rare brain tumour has been handed a lifeline after a local man donated £11,500 of his pension savings to support the family's search for treatments and clinical trials not offered on the NHS.
Craig Dunn, 35, was first diagnosed in May 2025 with medulloblastoma — a tumour more commonly found in children — after suffering severe headaches. He underwent emergency surgery to remove the mass at the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle and subsequently received chemotherapy and radiotherapy at the Freeman Hospital.
In May 2026 Craig was given the devastating news that the tumour had returned. The mass has been removed again, but clinicians told him the cancer is likely to recur and have provided a prognosis that could mean he has as little as a year to live. Determined to explore every possible avenue, Craig and his close circle have been contacting specialists in the UK and overseas in the hope of finding clinical trials or treatments that could improve his outlook.
Stranger's gift underscores local solidarity
The appeal for help was publicised by Craig's best friend, John Hardy, and a video and social media campaign began to raise awareness and funds to pay for treatments outside standard NHS provision. One of those who saw the post was Steve Tate, 55, from Seaburn, who decided to donate his pension savings after being moved by the possibility that Craig’s young daughter could grow up without her father.
“When I saw the post, I was so moved, particularly the fact Craig’s little girl could face growing up without her dad. I’m not a rich man, but I had some pension savings, and I decided to donate it to help Craig and his family.”
Craig said he was left “gobsmacked” by the generosity. The family, including Craig’s wife Nabela and their three-year-old daughter Serena, have been sharing updates as they pursue expert opinions and treatments beyond what the NHS can offer.
What has happened so far
- May 2025: Initial diagnosis of medulloblastoma, emergency surgery at RVI.
- Chemotherapy and radiotherapy delivered at the Freeman Hospital.
- May 2026: Tumour recurrence; further surgery undertaken.
- Campaign launched to find clinical trials and treatments not offered on the NHS; a total of £11,500 was donated by a local stranger to support the effort.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Patient | Craig Dunn, 35, South Shields |
| Diagnosis | Medulloblastoma (first diagnosed May 2025) |
| Hospitals involved | Royal Victoria Infirmary; Freeman Hospital, Newcastle |
| Donation | £11,500 from local resident Steve Tate |
Local reaction has been one of shock and compassion. The donation has been widely welcomed by Craig's supporters and illustrates the community spirit prevalent in South Shields, where neighbours and friends often rally to help families facing medical crisis.
Next steps and wider implications
The funds are intended to help secure expert consultations, travel and potentially treatments or participation in clinical trials that are not available through the NHS. Craig and his family are actively contacting specialists both nationally and internationally in the hope of accessing alternative treatment options and extending his life expectancy.
The case underlines a broader issue faced by many families: when standard NHS pathways reach their limits, costs for experimental or overseas therapies can be prohibitive. For communities like South Shields, grassroots fundraising and private donations remain an essential route to give patients access to additional medical options.
As Craig and his supporters continue their campaign, the family has expressed gratitude for the generosity shown so far and asked that the community's support helps them explore every available avenue for treatment. The story has struck a chord locally — a reminder of the human impact behind headlines and the way small acts by individuals can make a profound difference to a family in crisis.
