Devoted Sheffield family rallies round eight-year-old Riley after brain tumour diagnosis

The family of an seriously ill eight-year-old Sheffield boy who has had a nightmare Christmas are appealing for support to help them through a really difficult time.
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Riley Quinn, from Hillsborough, was diagnosed with a brain tumour just days before Christmas, after struggling with headaches and sickness for around six months and then experiencing worrying weight loss.

He had an emergency operation to drain fluid from his brain on December 24 - and had another operation a few days ago to remove most of the tumour - but hasn’t been able to have a normal Christmas and won’t be home for the New Year.

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Riley’s cousin, Beth Storey, who said he had been ‘so brave so far’, has set up a ‘battle fund’ on the Go Fund Me platform to help his family cope with everything they are going through.

Riley Quinn before his second surgery at Sheffield Children's Hospital.Riley Quinn before his second surgery at Sheffield Children's Hospital.
Riley Quinn before his second surgery at Sheffield Children's Hospital.

She said: “Riley’s mum Emily is also taking care of a baby while he is in the hospital which is difficult and costly especially with the baby not being allowed in the hospital due to Covid.

“We just want to make it a bit easier for them with the cost of travel and parking at the hospital and with any alterations that need making to the home when Riley comes out.

“He is a lovely lad and Emily is such a devoted mother. They are the nicest family you could wish to meet and it is such a shame this is happening to them.”

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Beth said Riley had been suffering with headaches and sickness for some time before his diagnosis, and before Christmas began to lose weight.

Riley Quinn after his surgery.Riley Quinn after his surgery.
Riley Quinn after his surgery.

Mum Emily Brook saw a number of specialists before doctors agreed to give Riley a scan, at which point medics found the cause of his illness.

She now says the family now wants to raise awareness about always trusting your instincts when your children are ill.

“They said it was likely migraines a week before Christmas but they would do a scan just to rule things out,” said Emily.

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“I didn’t let that drop and he was taken to hospital on December 23. If he hadn't gone when he did he could have died.”

Riley Quinn on the morning of his surgery.Riley Quinn on the morning of his surgery.
Riley Quinn on the morning of his surgery.

For more information or to donate, visit www.gofundme.com/f/rileys-battle-fund.

In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a digital subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.

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