A SCHOOLBOY is raising money for a brain tumour charity after losing his grandfather to the disease.

Charlie Shane-Stone, from Ovingham in Northumberland, has ran, walked and cycled a combined distance of 52.4 miles over the course of seven days for Brain Tumour Research.

The 12-year-old is raising vital funds after his grandfather Michael Shane, from Prudhoe, died from a brain tumour in April 2016, just five months after receiving his devastating diagnosis.

A former Tynedale local council manager, he was 72 and enjoying retirement with his wife Ann when, in December 2015, he was given the agonising news that he had an aggressive brain tumour.

His daughter Diane Shane-Stone, 51, said: “My mam and dad met while they were working in a tobacco factory and they shared a very special relationship for many years.

“Dad was a real family man. I am one of four children and we will always remember him as being very kind, always helping others. In later life, he volunteered for Age Concern in Gateshead, while also caring for my nan daily.”

Mr Shane had his first seizure in November 2015 and was sent to the Cramlington Hospital in Northumberland, where doctors performed an MRI scan and found a mass on his brain.

He was referred to the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle and then sent to the Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI) for a biopsy on December 5.

The results revealed the family’s worst nightmare- Mr Shane had a grade 4 glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). Their world shattered instantly.

His daughter, a personal trainer who owns Ovingham-based SSFitness, added: “He was referred back to Dr Jo Lewis at the Freeman Hospital, and I will never forget the meeting, when Dad asked if he would be around to see Christmas 2017.

"Devastatingly, it was not to be – Dr Lewis said he had six months to live, if that.”

With surgery deemed too much of a risk, Mr Shane had radiotherapy, but as the cancer spread through his brain, his condition rapidly declined. On April 11, 2016, he slipped into a coma and died later that day.

Since losing her dad to this devastating disease, Ms Shane-Stone has organised many fundraising events, including an annual charity calendar, raising more than £12,000 for Brain Tumour Research.

Her eldest son Ben, 23, a final-year Business and Marketing student at Northumbria University, previously walked the Pennie Way, raising more than £500 for the charity.

Ben’s younger brother Charlie, a year 8 pupil at Ovingham Middle School, said: “My Grandad Michael always played tricks on me and my nan. He was a lovely grandad and great fun to be around.

"We used to play dominoes and watch ‘the Toon army’ together and he made me laugh all of the time. I love and miss him very much.

“I wanted to do this challenge in his memory, to help find a cure for the disease. I now know that lots of people suffer from brain tumours and it is the number one cancer killer in children and adults under the age of 40. I hope my fundraising can help in some way.”

On the final day of the challenge, Charlie’s classmates and staff at Ovingham Middle School clapped him across the finish line, as he completed his week-long event.

Charlie’s proud dad Colin Shane-Stone, a 44-year-old firefighter said: “Charlie has always said he wanted to get involved in the fundraising and do his own little bit to contribute.

"His challenge was inspired by #Brainathlon – a walk, run and climb relay event where participants walk 10 miles, run 15 miles and climb 1.2 miles to complete 26.2 miles in total.

"However, being the competitive young lad that he is, he wanted to go one better, so set himself the target of a double marathon instead.”

Charlie has so far raised a staggering £2,111 for Brain Tumour Research, having initially set his target at £200.

Joe Woollcott, community development manager at Brain Tumour Research, said: “The Shane-Stones have been fantastic supporters of Brain Tumour Research for a number of years and we thank them sincerely for continuing to fundraise in memory of Michael.

“It’s wonderful to see young Charlie taking on his own challenge to remember his grandad. Young people often get a bad rap but what this incredible 12-year-old is doing, while juggling his busy school life, is truly inspirational and we couldn’t be more grateful.

“Michael’s story reminds us that brain tumours are indiscriminate; they can affect anyone at any age. We are determined to continue in our mission to find a cure for this terrible disease, to help prevent other families from suffering such a tragic loss.”

To donate to Brain Tumour Research via the youngster’s fundraising page visit justgiving.com/fundraising/charlie-shane-stone