Legs Go For Lydia

After an eye test showed fluid behind her eyes, Lydia and her family were shocked to discover the 10-year-old was suffering from a large brain tumour. She required emergency surgery in Glasgow, before beginning an intense period of treatment on our Schiehallion Ward.

The family live on the Isle of Harris, where community spirit is at the core of island life. Friends, family and loved ones rallied around to support Lydia, her parents, and little brother Rory. Through step challenges and an adventurous Highland Cow, their community have made an incredibly difficult time that little bit brighter.

Lydia's Hospital Journey

Lydia was admitted to the Royal Hospital for Children, Glasgow in July last year. She and her family had been travelling up and down the country in their caravan during the summer holidays, when she started having headaches and her parents noticed she was turning her head and favouring one eye.

Whilst stopped in Stirling, Lydia went for an eye test, which revealed fluid behind her eyes. The family were sent to Forth Valley Hospital where she had a CT scan, which unfortunately showed a large brain tumour. It was a massive shock to her entire family.

Lydia was taken by ambulance to Glasgow and had an operation that night to relieve the pressure, followed by further surgery a few days later to remove as much of the tumour as possible.

She was diagnosed with a rare type of chondrosarcoma and spent a month on Ward 3A before being transferred to the hospital’s Schiehallion Ward, to begin chemotherapy. So far, Lydia has had 10 rounds of chemotherapy and 42 sessions of radiotherapy.

Her Mum, Peigi, adds:

“She has shown incredible courage and strength for a 10-year-old girl and has been through more in the last 6 months than some people go through in a lifetime.”

Charity-Funded Support

Lydia’s family stayed at Crossbasket House for the first 5 weeks after she was admitted. Although it was an incredibly stressful time for the family, the House allowed them to stay close to the hospital.

“The facilities were fantastic and Lydia's younger brother Rory especially enjoyed the soft play! The staff were all so lovely and supportive, it really is a brilliant service available to families.” - Peigi

Lydia has also had input from our Play Team during her time in hospital. For the first few weeks of her hospital stay, Lydia’s mobility was very restricted, and the Play Team supplied her with lots to do in her room when she was unable to move too much, aiding both her physical and mental wellbeing.

Fundraising in the Community

Peigi has praised her community of friends and family on the Isle of Harris for their kindness and support during the family’s time in Glasgow:

“The community in Harris have been a phenomenal support to us since Lydia became unwell. I would usually be involved in a charity step challenge a couple of times a year, and Lydia would often join me on my walks, but our friends have done a few challenges for our family now, and Lydia decided that Glasgow Children's Hospital Charity should receive the proceeds from this latest challenge. 

“The first 'Legs Go for Lydia' was completed last September, where teams walked the equivalent distance from Harris to Glasgow and back, with an awards ceremony and raffle to mark the end of the challenge.

“A huge rainbow Highland cow teddy was one of the raffle prizes, and our friend Donna came up with the idea of the teddy being kept in the community and passed around Lydia's friends, as a way to keep a link with home and cheer Lydia up during her time in Glasgow. Lydia got to name the cow and came up with 'Hallie' - after Schiehallion.

“Hallie has become a bit of a local celebrity now and almost everyone in the community has been involved in her various adventures!

“She has been everywhere on the island, and she even made it to Glasgow for a week while Lydia was having chemotherapy over Christmas.

“Hallie is still going on a new adventure every week and Lydia loves getting regular updates, pictures and videos of her antics. It's been a great way for people at home to support Lydia and we love seeing the fun and creative ideas people come up with each week!

“In December, Lydia turned on the Christmas lights (virtually!) in Tarbert on Harris. She was asked to choose a charity for locals to support on the night and she chose Crossbasket House, and amazing £700 was raised!

"A second 'Legs go for Lydia' challenge was completed in January of this year, when an incredible £1,460 was raised!"

- Peigi, Lydia's Mum

“The support we have had from everyone in Harris has been above and beyond what we could have ever imagined. They have been incredibly generous, and we are so grateful to have such a caring and supportive community behind us.”