A message from Dad
My name is Paul Wicks, I am a 73-year-old husband, father, and grandfather.
At the end of 2025, I noticed some changes to my speech and my ability to type, where I would struggle to find the words that I was looking to use, which at the time I feared was early signs of dementia. In January 2026, I had an episode where my entire vision went white and I felt very light headed, which was very scary, but never happened again.
February 2026:
As the weeks passed, my speech got progressively worse, where I was struggling to tell my wife information and texting and emailing became very difficult. My wife insisted that I book a GP appointment, and luckily, I was able to see my GP there and then. At this point, the doctors (and us) thought that I suffered a mini stroke which went unnoticed but left me with these symptoms. I went to A&E and had various tests over the next few days.
Unfortunately, the test results were not what we had expected or hoped for. I was diagnosed with a stage 4 incurable brain tumour (glioma) and I was initially put on steroids to reduce the swelling on my brain, as well as being referred to St George’s Hospital for a biopsy to continue to reduce the fluid and to confirm the diagnosis.
March 2026:
A few weeks post-op, the swelling on my brain had been reduced and my speech was getting better, but it was time to start my journey with The Royal Marsden Hospital in Sutton. After a series of meetings with the doctors and consultants, it was decided that although they would not be able to cure or remove my cancer, it was worth having treatment to try and control it and hopefully prolong my life, as well as making me well enough to have a somewhat normal life while I can.
April 2026:
During April I had a 3-week course of radiotherapy on the targeted area, as well as a tablet form of chemo every day. I haven’t suffered too much during this treatment, and have managed to control my diet and take up walking. Having said this, it is still very tiring and I am sleeping a lot more than usual.
May 2026:
In mid-May I will have another scan to see if I responded at all to the treatment, and at the end of May I will get the results of this, which, as you can imagine, is nerve-wracking and difficult waiting for time to pass.
My gratitude to St George’s, The Royal Marsden and my friends and family:
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the Neurology team at St George’s and the team at Royal Marsden for their support and dedication to helping me come to terms with my condition, as well as for their professional and caring bedside manner.
I would also like to thank my friends and family for being so supportive and loving, which has helped me emotionally get through this difficult time.
The sponsored event:
On the 9th May, my lovely family, Vicky, Andy, Edward, Henry, Rosie, Abigail, Catherine, Amber and Una, will be doing a 15-mile sponsored walk, starting at The Royal Marsden in Chelsea and finishing at The Royal Marsden in Sutton. I am so honoured that they are doing this for me and to raise money for The Royal Marsden, which continues to help save lives and help people with cancer, as well as their loved ones.
If you would like to donate to my family’s walk, I would be very grateful. No amount is too small, as every little helps and you are showing us and The Royal Marsden your support.
Thank you,
Paul
Together we walk!
We are supporting The Royal Marsden, a world-leading cancer centre. They are honestly the most wonderful team and this one is for Dad!
I have been eyeing up this walk for the last few years and now we have a team of us going out and doing it! Andy, Catherine, Una and I with Amber, Edward, Henry , Rosie and Abigail will be doing this one for Dad.
By donating to our page, their nurses, doctors, and research teams can provide the very best care and develop life-saving treatments.
Our achievements
You increased your target
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You have 5 team members!
Profile picture added
You added a blog post
You've got your first donation
50% of your target raised
Fundraising goal reached!
Thank you to our sponsors
£500
Dad And Mum /grandma And Grandad
£150
Kevin Conlan
Hi Una Good luck and a great charity. Love from Kevin xx
£100
Rachel Hammond
Good luck! Hope the weather is kind.
£100
Mike Limpenny
£75
Paul Naylor
£50
Sally & Robbie
Dear Paul, Although we haven’t had the pleasure of meeting you personally, we’ve heard so much about you through Steve and wanted to send our love and support during this difficult time. We’re thinking of you and your family, and hope this small gesture helps in some way. Wishing you strength, comfort, and brighter days ahead. All the best with the walk ‘Team Dad’ 💪🏼 With best wishes, Sally & Robbie
£50
Colin & Sandra
Good luck to all
£50
Amanda And James
Wishing you all the best of luck for a brilliant cause. Lots of love, Amanda, James and Chester xxx
£50
Tom Sullivan
Super work Team Wicks! Great charity. Love from the Sullivans x
£50
Kevin & Stella Ellis
£50
Emma Wicks
£50
Rajiv And Sarita Harnal
What a lovely thing to do 👏👏👏
£50
Mum And Dad
Proud of you
£50
June Rees
Proud of you
£50
Katherine Lee
Good luck guys! ❤️❤️
£50
Mark Naylor
£35
Steven Wicks
£35
Brenda Weston
Wishing you and your daughter the best of luck on your walk in honor of Vic ( someone I never had the pleasure to meet ) and your father in law . Wishing him a speedy recovery. Xx love Brenda and Vic's Brother Mario xx
£35
Phil Skidmore
£35
Liam, Grace, Ophelia And Hugo
Best of luck for the walk and delighted to support you in it. Will have some drinks in the fridge for you when you get back.
£35
Anonymous
£35
Sally
All the best “team dad”. Il be cheering you on from Cornwall. 🎉
£35
Alison Roberts
Good luck
£35
Jenny, Stu, Iona And Imogen
You’re all amazing! 🤩
£30
Kerry Taberner
Good luck Catherine, Amber and Mummy F! Amazing thing you’re doing, for an amazing cause. Good luck to your team too! Love Kerry, Stephen, Eva and Lewis xxxx
£30
Ann
£25
Caroline Barriball
Go Team Rees. A great cause and a fantastic hospital. Good luck
£25
Nat, James, Grace & Harrison
Super proud of you guys.
£20
Dawn Fitzpatrick
£20
Ali Sanchez
£20
Hayley Peart
£20
Jean
To Catherine and Amber Good Luck From Jean at 53
£20
Rand Chowdhury Family
Good luck team!
£20
Janet Garland
£20
Natalie Martinelli
Good luck to you all!! Lots of love Natalie and Family xx
£20
Katie Edwards
Good luck guys! Sending all the best from all the Edwards’ in Wales. What you are doing is incredible 😍
£20
Izabela Procino
Good luck!!!
£20
The Fullings
Well done Amber & Catherine! 2 very special ladies walking for a very special cause! X
£20
Sarah Burchell
Good luck Cathy & Amber! xx
£20
Aimee Thomas-milne
£20
Claire, Rob, Ida And Amelia
Well done Catherine and Amber!
£20
Heather Maslen
Good luck on the walk xx
£20
Julie Truman
Good luck Catherine and Amber. You will smash it.
£20
Jenny Bartlett
Well done, what an achievement!
£20
Sally Dixon
Well done to you all on your long walk. You are all amazing!!!
£20
Kim
Good luck in your endeavour, it is for an exceptional cause.
£20
Claire Kenton
Good luck Catherine and Amber. What a brilliant thing to do and a great cause x
£20
Mark & David
Good luck and sending you all lots of love xx
£20
Mark Naylor
Well Done Amber Love Mark and Anita xx
£20
The Clauson Family
Good luck Catherine and Amber 🥰
£20
The Wheadons
Well done ladies! ♥️ So much love from Team Wheadon x
£20
Tom Squire
£20
Danielle
£20
The Van Pelts
Wishing you, Amber and the rest of the team lots of luck!
£20
Alison Nasse
£20
The Cotheys
Good luck all! Amazing cause 🤩
£20
Sam Sandle
Good luck to you all! What a terrific charity
£20
Jasmine Plowright
Good luck guys, fantastic cause - and you will of course smash it xx
£20
Laura Dunphy
Wishing you all the best of luck! What a great cause to be doing it for xxx
£15
Anonymous
£15
Michelle Lucocq
£15
Tim Jopling
Its a fantastic cause and we really hope it goes well. Tim, Hannah, Annabel & Luke x
£10
Karen Gulvin
Good luck both of you. I know Mum and Amber can both do it!
£10
Miss Chaudhry
Good luck to you both. Such a worthy cause that I know means so much to you. I will be thinking of you and can't wait to hear all about it Amber!
£10
Ruth
£10
Fae, Brett And Winnie
Good luck, team! You’re going to smash it! X
£10
Maura Hubbard
Well done Amber and Catherine!! great cause!!
£10
Julie & Frank X🐾
£10
Gary Dunphy
Good luck everyone!
£10
Bill Fitzgerald
Good luck mate.
£10
Dan Makroum
Well done Amber! 💪🏼
£10
Kirsty Izod
Wishing Catherine and Amber luck on your March on Sunday. Love The Izods x
£10
Anonymous
£10
Nicki St John Cadet Leader
Good luck Catherine and Amber. Proud of you. Remember take basic first aid kit hopefully will not need it 🤣 Great cause as patient of Sutton
£10
Kay
Good luck Vicky and team! Sending you lots of love for tomorrow xx
£10
Linda Dean
Well done Team Dad/Grandad!
£5
Aoife Falzon
Good luck to the best aunty and cousin 🥰 Xx
£5
I am so honoured you are doing this for me and the Royal Marsden. Love you all xxxxxxxxx