THE aunt of a teenager who underwent pioneering brain surgery is thanking the charity that kept her family close to her with a fundraising skydive.

Molly Downes, from Milnthorpe, was rushed into the Royal Lancaster Infirmary in November after having several seizures, following weeks of experiencing motion sickness.

Medics soon discovered the 14-year-old had a tumour and ‘golf-ball-sized’ cyst on her brain and she was rushed to the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital, where she later underwent surgery to remove the masses.

“Molly had surgery on December 1 and was in from half past nine in the morning until about half eleven that night,” said mum Jane Brough.

“They said she’s only the third child in the UK to have had this procedure done on her brain, it’s called brain lab two.”

Thankfully, the tumour was non-cancerous, but Molly will continue to be monitored and will need regular MRI scans.

“They couldn’t remove all of the tumour because if they’d gone in deeper, they could have caused more damage,” added Ms Brough.

“If it grows again there’s a possibility she will need chemotherapy.”

In January, Molly had to go under the knife once again due to a build up of fluid in her brain.

The major surgeries resulted in the teen losing use of one side of her body, as well as her peripheral vision.

But through determination and with the support of medical staff and her family Molly has made great progress and has learned how to walk again.

She was finally discharged in March but continues to attend physiotherapy sessions at the hospital, who say she may never regain full use of her right arm.

Ms Brough and Molly’s older sister Jordan were able to remain close to her throughout her procedures thanks to the Ronald McDonald House Charities, who accommodated them at its hotel situated near to the hospital.

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“We didn’t know what we were going to do or where we were going to stay,” said Ms Brough.

“They took so much pressure off us.

“I really don’t know what we would have done without them.”

And now Molly’s aunt- and Ms Brough’s twin sister- Sally Mason is preparing to take the plunge to help other families in similar situations.

“Molly’s been so brave and positive I thought after she’s been through all that I can throw myself out of a plane for charity,” said Ms Mason, 52.

“If they’d not had Ronald McDonald’s House Charities Jane and Jordan wouldn’t have been able to stay down there.

“It was a massive lifeline.”

The skydive will take place today (June 19) at Cockerham and if you would like to donate visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/sally-mason6