A man, whose brain tumour was discovered following an eye test, has completed an impressive fundraising challenge. 

Rob Satchell was diagnosed with a low-grade neurocytoma in July 2017, following a build-up of pressure behind his left eye. Weeks before, he had also returned home from the gym and vomited, before he noticed a floater in his vision and a pain at the back of his head. 

An appointment at Specsavers confirmed a mass behind his eye and he was referred as an emergency to the eye clinic at Southampton General Hospital, where an MRI scan confirmed a golf-ball sized tumour growing on Rob’s brain. 

Rob had surgery to remove the tumour and now has regular scans to check for re-growth. 

On Saturday 2^nd September, Rob completed a 24-hour challenge to summit Ben Nevis in Scotland, Scafell Pike in England and Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) in Wales, alongside his best friend Ali Sampson. The adventurous pair ascended a total of 3,407 metres and raised more than £4,000 for Brain Tumour Research. 

Rob, pictured (left) at the summit of Snowdon, said: “I’m so proud of completing the three peaks challenge alongside Ali. I was overwhelmed with all the good luck messages. I felt very anxious at one point when we were climbing Ben Nevis, but then Ali said to me ‘remember why you’re doing this’ and that really got me psyched to reach the first summit and the two after were brilliant! 

“It’s been very emotional to share my story, but I know it is helping to raise awareness of the need for more funding into brain tumours.” 

Hugh Adams, our Head of Stakeholder Research, said: “We’re pleased to share Rob’s story of hope during this National Eye Health Awareness Week and grateful to him for taking on this incredible challenge for Brain Tumour Research. 

“Regular eye tests are important for those wanting to protect their vision, but, as in Rob’s case, they can also be an early indicator of serious health conditions. We regularly hear from patients who have been sent by an optician to their hospital eye clinic or even local neuroscience department for rapid diagnostic tests and treatment. Opticians are able to detect a build-up of pressure in the brain which can be an early sign of a brain tumour.” 

Related reading: 

• Rob’s story in the Hampshire Chronicle 
• Brain tumour symptoms 

If you found this story interesting or helpful, sign up to our weekly e-news and keep up to date with all the latest from Brain Tumour Research.