James McPherson Glioblastoma journey

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James McPherson Glioblastoma journey

James McPherson is a North Berwick primary teacher and firefighter suffering from glioblastoma.

17/06/2026

**** UPDATE - Jai tells it better 😂 ****

Jaime Van Hart tells it better than I can!!

Please, any questions - just ask. We are both open books and believe that education and awareness is very important.

Back down to hospital again next week.

https://gofund.me/c405a4d2c

15/06/2026

**** VERY EXCITING UPDATE AND HUGE GRATITUDE TO YOU ****

The day has finally come where I am spending the night in London tonight because work on my vaccine is starting tomorrow.
You amazing people have raised an incredible amount of money to help keep me alive and tomorrow is the day where all your kindness and donations are used to start my DC-VAX immunotherapy treatment. Your kindness has raised just over £50,000 for me to put towards year 1 costs of £100,000 so I am able to start my treatment that has extended lives by more than 20+ years in some cases. Currently NHS treatment gave me a prognosis of around 18 months (6 of which have passed already) so being given the opportunity by you is absolutely incredible and I will forever be in debt to you all. Genuinely, as a family, we would not be able to afford this and we would have had to accept my fate in about a year from now so we cannot thank you enough, you have all done so much for us.

The NHS have been incredible, caring, loving and supportive but they are not given the funding, support or capabilities to treat glioblastoma sufferers anymore. Thanks to every single doctor, surgeon, nurse, staff member responsible for my care. You are incredibly caring people - my angels. Especially those from the Western General, ERI and Maggie's Edinburgh who are amazing, caring people towards me and my family. Nothing is too much trouble for them.

I have attached some of the payments and costs for you to see but as always, please ask if there are any further questions. We, as a family, believe in complete transparency.

There is still an incredible amount to raise for the remainder of the 3 year course of treatment so any support at all you can give we will be forever grateful for.

For info - my tumour measured 7cm x 4cm x 4cm so I experienced all of the above symptoms. Amongst other things, I still have loss of sight, balance is not good, memory loss and confusion.

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE - if you can spare a few pound to continue to help with my treatment and give my kids their Dad for longer then donate here - https://gofund.me/2ce3c8c21

Thanks so far to Law PS for your bake sales and fundraising, Jaime Van Hart, Nathan, Harry, Wullie, Jill, Dadand Mam, everyone who has donated, football cards, bake sales, sponsored us, Fionn for his run, Jack, Jenny Penny and P5D for their Everest climb, Haddington fire station.
Thanks Nathalia for the anticipated end of life photos, Co-op NB, Tesco NB, North Berwick in Bloom, ScotRail. Sea Beyond Paddlesports Harry will be back soon now I’m a wee bit better, thanks again. Sarah Paterson for her swim this weekend. Even Harry was buzzing when I told him as the video below shows. I told him the good news (child appropriate) yesterday. We went to K-Pop Live (mostly his birthday but it a tiny part to celebrate 😂)

Also Side Hustle Hector's Pam Challice CK Travel Trade The Drama and Musical Mill Theatre School The Drama Mill Move Yoga Royal Marines Association Highland Tone-X MacMoray Festivals North Berwick Barbers North Berwick Fire Station. Lucy Forcett

You are all THE BEST.

12/06/2026

They all done fab and have climbed the height of Mount Everest. Spirits remained high throughout and in true NB style, the children pulled together to conquer Everest. They didn’t let a bit of wind or rain bother them this afternoon. Instead they got stuck in together, took care of each other with words of encouragement, refreshments, care and climbing. Thank you, you are all amazing.
Please share your photos here and look out for the article in next week’s news as sent in by Jack’s family.

ONE CLIMB DONE - Well done Law, keep going.

Pupils of Law Primary and their family will be climbing the North Berwick Law today at 2pm in aid of my ongoing treatment.

Sound easy?! In true Law style, they are showing huge determination and will climb the Law equivalent to the height of Mount Everest.
The Law towers 187 metres above North Berwick but they will keep going until all 8,849 metres of Everest has been climbed.

So far Jack’s commitment and the efforts or his classmates have raised £3,435 which is going directly towards my treatment. A huge update will follow on Monday about this.

They are asking for your help by either popping a wee donation through the link below or simply popping down just to cheer them on and show them that they have your support.

https://www.eastlothiancourier.com/news/26189340.north-berwick-pupils-everest-climb-teacher-glioblastoma/

Jenny Penny

https://gofund.me/3e26edf16

08/06/2026

And as if people can’t get more kind and generous through my journey - up steps P5 - P7 pupils. Led by Jack, the pupils have decided to show the school values of respect and determination by climbing the equivalent of Mount Everest up and down North Berwick Law.

Please show your support for the children by popping a small donation towards their cause that will help fund life extending treatment as I battle a glioblastoma brain tumour.

The pupils would also love your support at the foot of the Law on Friday 12th June at 2pm.

These are genuinely amazing, kind, thoughtful and caring children that made me excited to come into work each day. Now I miss them so much being off work this long.

Please show your support here:
https://gofund.me/fab1aa8b4

Jenny Penny

07/06/2026

EDIT - She’s gone and done it. Very well done Pam. Go and rest up the next few days, you did amazing today.
From us all - Thank you so much. Let’s get her over the £500 mark, link for donations below.
Well done, Pam.

And they’re off…

Myself and my family would like to wish Pam Challice all the luck in the world as she takes on the Aberdeen Kiltwalk this morning.
Pam has been a great friend for many years through her husband, Lee in the fire service. She has decided to support my cancer treatment costs by taking on the Kiltwalk this morning.
We are all right behind you, Pam. Very very good luck to you today and so much love and gratitude from my family for helping me through this horrible illness.

You can support Pam below by dropping a wee donation in here: https://gofund.me/4f7f5b365

Today’s tune for Pam and all the Aberdeen Kiltwalkers. Good luck, keep going.

Discover Moray

31/05/2026

**** UPDATE ****

Not much to update this week.
Things have been a little bit back to normal as I’ve started 4 weeks of a rest period with no treatment.
6 weeks of chemo and radiotherapy complete, I now have 4 weeks of no treatment to allow my body to return to a bit of normality.
I’ve come to accept that my eyesight won’t fully return and I’m grateful to all I’ve met that have understood this and allowed for it as I navigate each day, especially during busy periods.
I am still tired during the day and often require a quick snooze to recharge each day. The steroids for headaches are continuing but I’ve really noticed the weight gain side effect this week, regardless of how little I’m eating. I’m still taking medication for pressure behind my eyes which has affected my taste hence I’ve not eaten much and have not been enjoying my food recently.
I’m currently being weaned off the steroids so I have to be aware that headaches, extreme tiredness and irritability side effects may worsen over the coming weeks.

I have used this week to find some sort of normality at last. Had a great laugh at Stuart Mitchell - Comedian at the corn exchange last week. Hope you enjoyed the Caramels!

Harry done very well in his sports day. Mixed emotions as I never know if that’s going to be my last with him. Make sure you put family first - you never know when it’s your turn to go. It was definitely ‘the power of turning up’ last week. Thanks Rebecca for making it possible for me and H.

Eventually got a few days back home to see family that I’ve not seen since before Christmas due to this tumour. Some are elderly and not able to travel. Thank you ScotRail for looking after me and helping me to the correct platform and navigate crowds.

Thank you to Abbey Church, North Berwick & Dirleton Kirk for putting on a movie afternoon and raising funds to help my treatment.

Had a great time at the Usher Hall, Edinburgh watching Law Primary Bass Rockers put on an amazing display of talent for the judges. You did very well and did everyone proud. There was an emotional final song performed that the children performed dedicated to me of Rocking all over the World at the end. Tears were flooding down my cheeks. You are amazing children and every one of you are superstars in your own way. Missing you all ❤️ well done.

Finished the week with NB Picnic in the Park. Great to see so much local talent and meet so many of you today. And of course the Bass Rockers were awesome again.

Had a lovely visit from Moray and his Mum, Laura Mills who paid me a visit to drop off donations from a bake sale he held earlier in the year. You’re a star, thank you so much, dude.

NB Fire Station garden is taking shape. Thanks to Tesco Tesco North Berwick in Our Community for your support with this. Thanks also to those that have offered items and support. Thanks to Stuart, Kate, Robin, Megan, Finlay and families who came to help last week.
If anyone can offer donations of plants, railway sleepers or compost please leave at the rear of NB Fire Station. Keep access clear for our crew and appliances please. Thank you so far to Herbspace for donations and North Berwick in Bloom for the gardening tips.

UPCOMING EVENTS:
Sunday 7th June, Pam Challice to take on the Aberdeen Kiltwalk. Donations taken here: https://gofund.me/86122df24
Sarah Paterson to take on a fundraising swim (details to follow)
Friday 12th June - Law Primary pupils to climb the Law, North Berwick equivalent to the height of Everest (details to follow)
Fundraiser - Win £1,000 holiday voucher with CK Travel Trade visit their Facebook (or my previous post) for more details.

Address

North Berwick
EH394DA

Telephone

+447982935259

Website

https://gofund.me/dd7fae423

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