A man was diagnosed with an incurable brain tumour following years of battling tinnitus. Darren Harris, 59, was sent for a standard hearing test by doctors after being diagnosed with tinnitus two years earlier.

Further treatments and MRI scans revealed that he had been unknowingly living with an inoperable tentorial meningioma – a slow-growing, low-grade tumour at the base of his brain. Darren underwent gamma knife radiosurgery, a procedure costing £35,000 at the Northern General Hospital, Sheffield, to obliterate the tumour cells while preserving healthy tissue.

The treatment involved fastening a metal frame to his face to immobilise him so they could map his tumour in 3D and accurately target it. The procedure was successful, but Darren has since developed epilepsy, lost his driving licence and was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation - a heart condition triggered by the stress of seizures.

Consequently, he has undergone numerous heart procedures and continues to live with neurological side effects like visual impairment and pins and needles down his left side. To commemorate 10 years since his diagnosis, Darren and his wife Sharon, 57, organised a fundraising event for Brain Tumour Research, raising over £800 through an evening of meditation, spiritual messages and a tombola.

Darren, a former IT functional analyst from Paignton, Devon, recalled: "I had tinnitus for a couple of years, and my doctor sent me for a hearing test. They did a few treatments that helped and did an MRI, but then I was called back for more MRIs, one after another.

"I knew something wasn't right, but no one would tell me why. When I was finally referred to a neurosurgeon, my world fell apart. They told me I had a brain tumour.

"Reaching 10 years since my brain tumour diagnosis is something I never take for granted. I know how incredibly lucky I am to still be here, and that's only because of the treatments and knowledge we have today.

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"But too many people aren't as fortunate, and that's why funding into brain tumour research is absolutely vital. We need continued investment so that more people can reach milestones like this, and so families in the future have real hope, better treatments and, ultimately, a cure."

Following his March 2015 diagnosis, Darren underwent gamma knife radiosurgery – an advanced procedure deploying more than 300 radiation beams to eliminate cancerous cells. Darren explained: "It was cutting-edge.

"They bolted a metal frame to my skull to keep me completely still, mapped the tumour in 3D, and then targeted it precisely. The treatment cost £35,000.

"Luckily, I had private health insurance, but many families can't afford that. We need more research and funding so that everyone can access the best treatments."

Having raised over £800 at his recent fundraising event, he was determined to do "something positive". He explained: "It's been a long road, but we believe in giving back.

"For anyone at the start of their brain tumour journey, take one day at a time and listen to your surgeons. For those that can, please donate to the Brain Tumour Research Christmas Appeal. A donation of as little as £5 can fund vital research that will ultimately save lives and give people like me hope for the future."

Brain Tumour Research supports sustainable research at specialist centres nationwide and is championing the push for £35 million in annual national funding to boost survival rates and patient outcomes to match other cancers such as breast cancer and leukaemia.

Letty Greenfield, community development manager at Brain Tumour Research, commented: "Darren's courage and willingness to share his experience help raise awareness of the need for greater investment in brain tumour research and improved access to life-saving technology. We hope that Darren's story inspires others to support our Christmas appeal."

To back Brain Tumour Research and contribute to the Christmas appeal visit: https://braintumourresearch.org/pages/give-hope-this-christmas.