'Laserbeam treatment' will destroy last cells of Northampton man's 'golf-ball sized' tumour

A Northampton family is fundraising to support their son overseas for a "laserbeam-like" radiation treatment to destroy the last remains of a brain tumour.
Harry Mockett (inset) is bound for overseas to receive a revolutionary proton beam treatment.Harry Mockett (inset) is bound for overseas to receive a revolutionary proton beam treatment.
Harry Mockett (inset) is bound for overseas to receive a revolutionary proton beam treatment.

Harry Mockett, from Harpole, needs the revolutionary proton beam therapy to eradicate the last cells of a "golf-ball sized" tumour.

Harry, who was 19 at the time, discovered the growth in May during a trip to Specsavers after he noticed he was losing vision - but the optometrist instead sent him straight to hospital.

Dad Ian Mockett said: "A week later he was on the operating table. They found a golf-ball sized tumour in his brain.

Harry was in hospital for eight weeks after discovering a "golf-ball" size tumour in his brain.Harry was in hospital for eight weeks after discovering a "golf-ball" size tumour in his brain.
Harry was in hospital for eight weeks after discovering a "golf-ball" size tumour in his brain.

"Thankfully, it was benign. But it was still a huge shock for all of us."

Doctors were able to remove "98 per cent" of the growth and Harry was in hospital for seven weeks - but now Harry needs a state-of-the-art therapy to destroy the last cells or else it could grow back.

Ian said: "In the old days, they used to blast the whole area with radiation to kill off tumours. But that could do a lot of damage to everything else around it.

"The proton beam therapy is almost like a radiation laser they use to destroy just the tumour.

Harry (pictured here with dad Ian, mum Sue, sister Rosie and her fiance James Matthews), are famous in Harpole for their elaborate entries to the yearly scarecrow festival.Harry (pictured here with dad Ian, mum Sue, sister Rosie and her fiance James Matthews), are famous in Harpole for their elaborate entries to the yearly scarecrow festival.
Harry (pictured here with dad Ian, mum Sue, sister Rosie and her fiance James Matthews), are famous in Harpole for their elaborate entries to the yearly scarecrow festival.

"The technology is amazing. It's horrible to think, but only a few years ago we wouldn't be able to do anything about Harry's tumour. He could have gone blind or even lost his life."

However, the advanced treatment takes up to eight weeks of therapy - and is likely to be in Florida or Germany.

Ian, a self-employed plumber, said: "The NHS has been amazing. we are waiting to hear if they are able to fund for Harry’s treatment and if so, they will pay for the treatment and flights and accommodation for Harry and one parent.

"But now we need to think about how we're going to live abroad wherever it is we end up”

Instead, the family have been fundraising to help them look after Harry and whoever goes with him.

Ian and his family are famous in Harpole for their yearly entries to the annual Scarecrow Festival, which has included 20-ft AT-AT Walkers, a walk-through Jurassic Park experience and transforming their front garden into Hogwarts.

Meanwhile, at this year's scarecrow festival, Ian and his family raised almost £2,000 with a cake and coffee stand.

Ian said: "Everyone in the village has been so supportive. What a fantastic place to live if you're ever in need."

Harry will hear back from doctors "any day now" and hopefully the NHS will be able to say when and where he will receive his therapy.