Family raises £53,000 for nine-year-old girl with returning brain cancer

Summarised from Bournemouth Echo's report · Updated 9 Oct, 06:00 · Archive

The parents of Grace Townsend have raised over £53,000 after their daughter's brain cancer returned in September 2026.

Grace Townsend was diagnosed with brain cancer in April 2023 and underwent surgery and proton radiotherapy. The treatment left her with neurological injuries that initially prevented her from speaking or walking. Through rehabilitation and therapy, she progressed from a wheelchair to walking independently and regained her speech.

In September 2026, Grace's ependymoma returned close to its original site, next to the brainstem and medulla, which control vital functions such as breathing and swallowing. Her parents, Lisa and Chris, set up a GoFundMe page that has raised more than £53,000. The family said they have been told the recurrence is very serious but are exploring treatment possibilities beyond the standard pathway to give Grace more time.

Grace's case is being reviewed by the UK's national ependymoma experts, and her family are seeking opinions from leading paediatric brain tumour specialists internationally.

Read the report

• £53,000 has been raised for nine-year-old girl with brain cancerParents of a nine-year-old have set up a GoFundMe Page to raise funds for their daughter with brain cancer.Bournemouth Echo · 9 Oct, 00:00

In this story: Grace Townsend · Lisa Townsend · Chris Townsend · Bournemouth Echo

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