Fundraiser to help Liverpool dad diagnosed with inoperable brain tumour

A fundraiser has been launched for a Liverpool dad of two who’s been diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour just months after his wife Leigh completed treatment for bowel cancer.

The aim is to raise £120,000 to search for further treatment options for 44-year-old Fraser Watterson to give him more time with his sons, Luka, nine, and Luis, five, and ease the financial pressures for the family as they go through a challenging and traumatic time.

Above all, it’s to protect the children’s future should the worst happen.

Fraser, a car salesman from Halewood, says:

“It’s been a bit of a rollercoaster since I was diagnosed.

“There are times when I feel down, but right now I’m in the eye of the storm having treatment, and I’m here, I can’t change anything, so I’m looking forward. I’m taking each day as it comes and aiming for milestones like my 45^th birthday later this year and even my 50^th, and a holiday to make memories with my family, my wife who’s been remarkable, and my boys.”

He adds:

“The response to the fundraiser has been insane. It makes me emotional to see the donations, it’s just unbelievable, but that’s what Liverpool does. The people support their own and I am so, so grateful.

“If there’s a possibility that there could be treatment out there that could help me then that would be amazing, and the fund could make that possible and give me a chance of being there for my family.

“If the worst happens, then it helps to know that Leigh, Luka and Luis won’t have to struggle.”

The GoFundMe page was started by Tash Campbell, Leigh’s sister, to help the family steer through the devastating situation.

Until recently, the couple were focused on rebuilding their life after 38-year-old Leigh completed her treatment for bowel cancer last year.

And, as difficult as that was, they thought the hardest part was behind them. Neither of them was prepared for what was to follow.

Fraser had started having seizures in June 2024, the first after his father’s funeral, and he was given medication for epilepsy. But as the seizures continued and he had a series of severe headaches that wouldn’t go away, he was admitted to Whiston Hospital who referred him to Walton.

It was there, in November last year, that he was first diagnosed with a brain tumour and underwent surgery to remove it on December 1.

But just two weeks later, lifelong LFC fan Fraser was given the news that a secondary tumour had been found, and it was in the central area of his brain which made it inoperable.

Although the cancer is incurable, he has started an intensive six-month plan of chemotherapy and radiotherapy to prolong his life and give him more time with his family.

And he and Leigh are trying to deal with everything, not knowing how long he might have left to live, while shielding their sons from the heartbreak and trying to create a sense of normality for them.

Fraser fights back tears as he explains:

“It’s the most devastating news I could have had. As we went to the appointment after the operation, I was excited, I was convinced it was going to be good news and they’d got rid of the tumour and everything as okay.

“I was sobbing as I asked if I was going to make it to the New Year, and they said I was – but I might only have a couple of months after that. Some people have lived for five years with this kind of high-grade glioblastoma, others 10. Most have around 12-18 months.”

The fund, says Fraser’s sister Maxine, has been created for three reasons:

To seek further medical opinion and explore whether any specialist neuro-oncology teams, NHS or private, may be able to offer a further assessment and alternative treatment options, including symptom-reducing interventions.

To reduce the immediate financial pressure and relentless worry for the family caused by lost income and mounting expenses. Any support will go towards mortgage payments, household bills and necessary living costs ‘to allow Fraser and Leigh to focus on what truly matters – time together as a family’.

To protect the boys’ future. Above everything else, Fraser’s greatest concern is his children and, should the worst happen, any funds raised would help keep the boys in their family home, maintain stability around school and daily life, and reduce the long term financial burden on Leigh.

The total raised currently stands at more than £64,500 and there is a fundraising evening being organised by Laces Out! Trainer Festival’s organiser Rob May, a good friend of Fraser’s, at BOXPARK Liverpool on Friday, March 6.

There’ll be live music, raffles and auctions of sports memorabilia as well as, Fraser’s been told, ‘special guests’.

With all the love of ‘amazing’ friends and family, Fraser – who encourages anyone with his symptoms to seek help as soon as possible – is hoping to have years, rather than months, left with them.

Any other treatment ‘that we might not know about’ and that would help him recover his life would be incredible and he admits: “I’m tired at the moment but to feel tired but stable and still be able to function would be enough – I would take that if it meant I would be here for years rather than months. I’d lose my left arm if it meant I’d still be here.

“There are so many things I’d love to so and see, my boys growing up, going to senior school, learning to drive or getting married. All the little things that seem massive now … and maybe the chance to take them to watch Liverpool in a European away game,” he smiles.