Twilight Walk Own Walks 2026: Lewis, Hayley, and Julie’s stories

Last June, life changed dramatically when Services Engineer and dad of two, Lewis, was diagnosed with a brain tumour – a grade two glioma. Having been admitted to hospital for abdominal issues, a brain tumour was the last thing he was expecting. Lewis, 37, said: “I collapsed in pain while in hospital and nurses assumed I’d had a seizure. Then a CT scan showed a mass on my brain. It was a huge shock – not just for me, but for friends and family, too, and it hit me hard.”

In July last year, Lewis underwent an awake craniotomy – surgery to remove as much of the tumour as possible – which was successful. In the last few months, he’s been recovering and adapting to a new normal, supported by wife Keeley, who has been “incredible” throughout. It’s not been easy. Busy environments, noise and bright lights bother him more than before, and he’s also had to build up his memory function, which he says is improving week by week with the help of family and friends. Lewis’s motto is “Never give up” – and it’s that positive attitude that has led him to challenge himself to take on a Twilight Walk Own Walk on March 14th.

“As someone who loves the outdoors, devising my own Twilight Walk was a perfect challenge for me,” says Lewis. “I chose a route that covers my whole village and surrounding area. It’s where me and my Bamp walked many times when I was younger, so it’s close to my heart. Since I started planning my walk, I’ve been joined by 40 others.  It means the world to me that so many close friends and family will be walking with me, with still more joining for the last two miles, including Keeley and our two children,” says Lewis. “After I put my story on socials it’s surprising how many people have opened up and spoke about their own issues, and it’s good to show my story for confidence mentally and physically to them and to keep fighting.”

Since then, Hayley, who’s married to Andrew and mum to Edward, 9, and Oliver, 6, has been focussed on recovery and has been glad to return to the gym and her favourite Cross Fit classes. She said: “My diagnosis has been life-changing and I’m still processing it really. Physically, I am starting to feel better. I did have some fatigue at first, and I noticed that I sometimes struggled to find the right words, but that is also improving.”

Inspired to support others facing similar challenges, Hayley is raising funds for The Brain Tumour Charity with her Twilight Walk Own Walk on Saturday 21^st March. At least 50 friends and family will walk with her.

Her walk starts at Great Ayton at 10am, heading to Roseberry Topping, then Captain Cook’s Monument, before finishing with a loop back round. It will be 11 miles and take approximately four hours.

Fundraising is going brilliantly, with nearly £3.5k raised already – more than three times her original target of £1,000.

Hayley said: “At some point, I know I probably will need their support, so raising money for The Brain Tumour Charity felt like the right thing to do.

“I’m so grateful to everyone who has donated. Your support can make a significant difference in the lives of individuals battling brain tumours. Together, we can help ensure that no one faces this journey alone.”

Teacher Julie McCarthy’s brain tumour was discovered in the most dramatic way possible. She had a seizure while driving in February 2024, crashed her car and was rushed to hospital. Scans there confirmed she had the tumour. “Prior to my diagnosis I was healthy and well, working full time as a primary teacher,” Julie explains.  “I was really busy looking after my three teenagers. In fact, on the morning of my seizure I was taking my 16-year-old son to his Saturday job in Hamilton. I had driven on two motorways and crossed bridges over the River Clyde! Thankfully, the seizure happened when I was on my own and had dropped him off.  

“I crashed into a roundabout in Hamilton right next to where I used to work when I was a student, in the David Lloyd creche. I feel so lucky it happened that way because, thankfully, I didn’t mow into any pedestrians or crash into cars. It was also very rare for me to be on my own in my car, I usually had my three kids.” 

Julie had surgery in April 2024 which successfully removed more than 95 per cent of the tumour, which was confirmed to be a glioblastoma – the most common primary high grade brain tumour in adults.  

She said: “When I found out I had a brain tumour I’ve never felt so isolated and lonely and worried. I do everything in life surrounded by family, friends, pupils & colleagues. This was just me on my own. But I feel lucky that my tumour doesn’t have a big impact on my life. I feel great mostly. I do have a lot of fatigue and dealing with uncertainty is a bit scary.” 

Julie knows only too well how crucial specialist support is for families navigating a brain tumour diagnosis, and it’s her own experience that inspired her to organise her Twilight Walk on March 7th.

52 members of her family joined Julie to walk in a location close to her heart: “I chose Eaglesham for the route of our Twilight Walk because everyone taking part – all 52 of us – have spent our childhoods there playing, exploring, spending happy times with our family.  

“When we were all wee and spending the night in Eaglesham my auntie Catherine would say about bedtime: “Who wants to go walk up the Orry and into the woods and up the Picket, finishing off at the sweetie shop and the swing park?” Plenty of us cousins had the absolute time of our lives doing Twilight Walks years ago in the 1980s! 

“It just seemed natural to gather again here. It’s where the clan gather for any special occasions because everyone now lives all over Scotland, England, and far beyond too. 

“I’m grateful and lucky to have a big loving family who all help each other in times of need. I’m most looking forward to being together, singing together, catching up, and watching all the four generations being happy together.” 

Fundraising has been incredible, with Julie well on the way to doubling her £1000 target.

Julie’s JustGiving page