A MOTHER whose son underwent surgery for a brain tumour last month has spoken of her pride after he completed the mini Great North Run.

Aston Sullivan, eight, from Pelton Fell, Chester-le-Street, took part in the event in Newcastle on Saturday with his sister, Mia, and five friends.

Together they have raised more than £700 for The Brain Tumour Charity.

His mother, Karen Bush, 35, said: “Despite having surgery just four weeks ago Aston was determined to take part in the race.

“He was amazing, he was absolutely shattered but there was no stopping him.

“I am so proud of him and the rest of the children.

“He was chuffed to pieces and wanted to run again, he is eager to sign up to take part in next year’s race as soon as places open and he has been showing his medal off at school.”

Aston and his friend, Alfie Ramshaw, five, ran the 1.5km in 9 minutes and 48 seconds and 11 minutes respectively.

Aston’s sister Mia, 11, and their friends Adam Ramshaw, 12, Aidan Ramshaw, 11, Eve Antony, 14, and Finlay Antony, 11, ran the Junior Great North run, a distance of 4km.

Aston was diagnosed with a cerebellar low-grade astrocytoma in January 2013, following over a year of symptoms that went undiagnosed.

Mrs Bush persisted and Aston was eventually referred to a paediatrician and a subsequent brain scan revealed the devastating news that he had a brain tumour.

Ms Bush said: “I knew something more serious was wrong and demanded that we saw a specialist.

“It’s been traumatic since day one, you don’t expect this to happen to your own child.

“He has had surgery twice which has been horrendous, particularly when the tumour returned this year.

“It’s absolutely shocking that I had to fight for over a year before Aston was diagnosed.

“If I hadn’t pushed for Aston to be referred to a paediatrician he might not be here today.”

Mrs Bush is now backing The Brain Tumour Charity’s HeadSmart campaign to drive down diagnosis times in children and teenagers.

She said: “Aston ticked every one of the symptoms , I couldn’t believe it or understand why it took so long to diagnose him.

“I am so scared that this will happen to someone else’s child and family and this is why I promote and support the HeadSmart campaign every day.”