A Hartlepool woman battling incurable cancer has been praised for raising thousands of pounds for the hospital unit that has cared for her.

Abbi Hewitson, from Hartlepool, and her friends and family have raised more than £8,000 for the neurosurgery department at Middlesbrough’s James Cook University Hospital since Abbi was diagnosed with a brain tumour at 24.

She was diagnosed in 2019 with a low-grade glioma and underwent 11 hours of surgery by James Cook consultant neurosurgeon Anil Varma.

Over the years Abbi suffered multiple daily seizures, further surgeries and scans and developed a special bond with Mr Varma, who Abbi called her very own “angel”.

Abbi Hewitson has raised thousands for James Cook Hospital despite her condition.

placeholder image — Abbi Hewitson has raised thousands for James Cook Hospital despite her condition.

She started chemotherapy after more surgery was ruled out due to the growing size of her tumour.

Sadly, further scan reports revealed that it was transforming to a cancerous type, which did not have a cure.

But Abbi, now 31, refused to let it bring her spirits down and decided to give something back to the place that provided her with compassionate care and love.

Despite her deteriorating condition, she and her friends and family have undertaken numerous fundraising activities including Abbi holding a sparkle party during COVID-19 and completed a 12-hour walk in 2021.

A framed t-shirt of Abbi's fundraising achievement in surgeon Mr Varma's office.

Loved ones also held a virtual lemonade stand, sponsored swim and participated in the Great North Run.

Abbi’s mum, Nicola Hewitson, said: “She is the most selfless, generous lady with the biggest heart. Her family is her biggest love.

“Abbi has battled her condition like an absolute warrior for six and a half years, which still goes on today, making us all laugh with her wicked and sensational personality.”

Her fundraising will help to further develop surgical services at James Cook, including acquiring a cortical stimulator enabling it to do awake tumour surgery and other such specialist surgeries.

Mr Varma said: “Her determination shines through the fundraising activities that she has done for the department.

"She is a shining personality that I will always remember as a ‘starry angel patient’ I came across in my career as an oncology neurosurgeon.”

Lisa Meehan, manager of James Cook’s official charity Our Hospitals Charity, said: “We are so grateful to Abbi for the amazing fundraising she and her family have done, her kindness really will make a difference to other patients under the care of Mr Varma.”