A week of complete extremes for the Hartlepool parents whose little boy has a brain tumour

The parents of a brave Hartlepool boy – who is battling a rare tumour – have gone through a week of extreme emotions.
By Chris Cordner
Published 7th May 2021, 00:47 BST
Updated 7th May 2021, 00:47 BST
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Last Saturday, Abbieleigh Griffiths, 18, and partner Jamie Greenhow, 21, each did a 10,000ft tandem skydive at Shotton to support a charity which helped their little boy Noah Griffiths.

The exhilarating jump – in airborne temperatures of minus 20 degrees – was to support the childhood cancer charity CLIC Sargent and Abbieleigh admitted: “The adrenaline rush was amazing. At one point all my clothes were covered in white after we fell through a frost cloud.”

The couple’s aim was to raise £930 and they reached £1,035.

Jamie Greenhow and Abbieleigh Griffiths who completed a charity skydive to help the cause which supported their son Noah.Jamie Greenhow and Abbieleigh Griffiths who completed a charity skydive to help the cause which supported their son Noah.
Jamie Greenhow and Abbieleigh Griffiths who completed a charity skydive to help the cause which supported their son Noah.
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Jamie has praised everyone who supported the event especially J Mac Scaffolding.

Abbieleigh admitted it was the thrill of a lifetime to achieve the dream.

But just days later, on Tuesday this week, the couple’s elation turned to sheer worry when Noah was rushed in to hospital after having a seizure.

Abbieleigh explained: “We had been really happy after the skydive and I was looking at booking another one from 15,000ft when this happened.

Noah Griffiths, 3, with his parents Abbieleigh Griffiths, 18, and Jamie Greenhow, 20.Noah Griffiths, 3, with his parents Abbieleigh Griffiths, 18, and Jamie Greenhow, 20.
Noah Griffiths, 3, with his parents Abbieleigh Griffiths, 18, and Jamie Greenhow, 20.
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"We were so excited and then Noah became poorly. His eyes rolled to the back of his head and he had to stay in hospital overnight.

"He wasn’t eating anything but when he woke up the next day he began eating a bit better.”

The cause of Noah’s seizure is not known but he is now returning to his courageous self.

Jamie said: “It has been two different sides of the spectrum but overall you just have to try and stay as positive as you can.”

Noah Griffiths who had another stay in hospital this week just weeks after doctors said his tumour was shrinking.Noah Griffiths who had another stay in hospital this week just weeks after doctors said his tumour was shrinking.
Noah Griffiths who had another stay in hospital this week just weeks after doctors said his tumour was shrinking.
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Noah has a grade 3 glioma which is a type of tumour which can happen in the brain and spinal cord.

It was back in the summer of 2020 when he had a seizure and was rushed to hospital for tests including MRI scans.

By complete coincidence, the tests for the seizure also showed up a totally unrelated tumour which was on Noah’s brain.

But in March this year, there was better news when experts confirmed the tumour on his brain is shrinking.

Falling through a frost cloud. Photo courtesy of Sky-High sky diving.Falling through a frost cloud. Photo courtesy of Sky-High sky diving.
Falling through a frost cloud. Photo courtesy of Sky-High sky diving.
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Noah’s overjoyed parents were also told their son’s chemotherapy would end in September if he continued to make improve.

Thankfully the seizure does not seem to have had any effect on Noah’s progress.

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