Mum’s Christmas crafts decorate charity tree

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The mother of a brain tumour patient has been crafting beautiful decorations to adorn a charity Christmas tree. 

Ann Mitchell’s handmade pink and yellow decorations, including stars, stockings, reindeers and more, are brightening up a Brain Tumour Research Christmas tree on display as part of the Princesshay Charity Christmas Tree Festival. The tree – which is one of 35 on display at the shopping centre in Exeter, Devon – also features handwritten baubles of hope with messages from local people affected by brain tumours. 

Her support of the charity is inspired by her son, Matt, who was diagnosed with multiple grade 2 brain tumours in 2019. Matt, a father-of-two, has undergone a number of operations and had proton beam therapy. He is monitored with annual scans. 

Ann said: “Despite everything Matt has been through, we know he is one of the luckier ones. By fundraising for Brain Tumour Research, we are hopeful that we can contribute in some way to finding a cure for this disease which can be devastating for so many families.” 

The family’s fundraising has included taking part in our Walk of Hope for the past three years, with Matt well enough to take part in the event this September. 

Ann was assisted in her creative endeavours by her daughter, Jennifer Cradick (pictured with Ann), Jennifer’s daughter, Arianna, and Matt’s daughter Mya. She added: “The girls really enjoyed getting creative and this was a lovely way to make memories with them, whilst supporting an important cause.”  

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