Hartlepool mum vows to 'stay positive' in face of chemotherapy and radiotherapy after shock brain tumour diagnosis

Angela Fletcher pictured with her son Jack.

Mum-of-one Angela Fletcher was rushed to hospital before Christmas only for doctors to discover a brain tumour, meaning she had to undergo an emergency operation.

As the devastating news broke, the Hartlepool community rallied around Angela and made dozens of donations to an online page set up by her best friend Lyndsay Hogg.

It was hoped that the page would raise much-needed money to support the mum and her son Jack, 12, in the run-up to Christmas; and give Angela one less thing to worry about while she faced surgery.

Best friends Angela Fletcher, left, and Lyndsay Hogg pictured together.

Now, she begins 2020 preparing for chemotherapy and radiotherapy after doctors further investigated the stage-four tumour and found she would need treatment.

In a Facebook post following on from her initial operation, Angela thanked friends and supporters for their kindness after her sudden diagnosis – and vowed to stay positive though the prognosis was not good.

She said: “I'm staying positive as I’m still feeling lucky to be here.

“There’s lot of people worse off. All you can do for me now is please pay it forward as I’m a great believer in karma.”

Lyndsay, Angela and Jack on an earlier holiday trip.

Angela, who works at B&M in Middleton Grange, also gave a separate thank you to friend Lyndsay, who organised the online fundraiser to help her in the run-up for Christmas.

The total currently stands at more than £3,000 and donations can still be made via GoFundMe.

A number of offline donations have also been made in person, taking the full amount to more than £4,000.

Speaking at the back end of last year, Lyndsay hailed her brave friend as one of the kindest and most thoughtful people she has ever known, and a “fantastic mam” who always thinks of others.

Angela Fletcher pictured with her son Jack, age 12.

She also praised the people of Hartlepool for giving whatever they could spare, even during the festive period, to support Angela, 52, as she faced her health struggles.

Angela recently took a trip to Wynyard Hall to enjoy a special afternoon tea courtesy of Hartlepool Round Table, after she was nominated for the gift by sister Joanne and Lyndsay.