Andy’s story
Andy Downes served as a firefighter for 16 years, and his daughters Izzy and Georgia work as nurses at Southmead Hospital, so challenge was often part of their daily life. But after Andy was diagnosed with a brain tumour, they have had to face very different challenges as a family. Izzy shared their story:
My dad, Andy Downes, was a Crew Manager for Thornbury Firefighters and had served at Thornbury Fire Station for 14 years without a day’s sick leave. Then in 2019 he failed a hearing test as part of a routine medical check. After further tests, which revealed a brain tumour, he had to have emergency surgery. It was a terrifying time for our whole family, made even worse as no visitors were allowed in the hospital since this happened in the first week of the Covid-19 lockdown.
The tumour turned out to be a grade 4 glioblastoma and following surgery my dad faced gruelling cycles of daily chemotherapy and radiotherapy, plus immunotherapy. Through all the treatment he dealt with each day as it came, good or bad, but for a man not used to having to sit down and rest, it wasn’t easy, particularly through the isolation of the Covid period.
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- Andy holding his radiotherapy treatment mask
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- Andy proudly surrounded by the Thornbury Firefighters crew
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- Andy receiving recognition and thanks when he had to take medical retirement
He went from running his successful business as a builder and serving the community as a firefighter, to being unable to drive due to his condition, losing independence and struggling with everyday activities. Ultimately, in November 2022, he was forced to take medical retirement from his role with the fire service.
I try to forget what my dad used to be like, as I know that version of him will never come back.
Being Thornbury locals the our family had grown up knowing about Brain Tumour Support, with its office based in the town, but never imagined we’d ever need the charity’s services ourselves.
However, all the support we have received has made such a difference. We have been able to benefit from free counselling sessions, as well as some of the support groups. My dad has attended the men’s support group online and I have has been to the face-to-face support group at Southmead Hospital. It was comforting to meet other people in my situation, knowing they’re all going through a similar thing with someone they love.
Especially beneficial was working with Brain Tumour Support’s dedicated Welfare Benefits Support Professional – particularly with my dad being self-employed, and falling ill during the Covid-19 pandemic. The financial advice we had through that made a huge difference to the family during a really difficult time.
It has been such a comfort to know the Brain Tumour Support team are there – they’ve always just been in touch, whenever we need them.
Izzy Downes | March 2024
Giving back to help others
Great Bristol Run 2024
Andy, Izzy and her siblings, Sam, Louis and Georgia, took part in the Great Bristol Run on Sunday 19th May 2024, fundraising for Brain Tumour Support. They are all took on either the 10k or half marathon route around the city.
Within just 24 hours of launching their Just Giving page they had already received over £1000 in donations and an outpouring of encouraging messages from loved ones.
Their fundraiser finished on an incredible total of £3,856. A testament to the impact the family has had on their community.
TCS London Marathon 2026
Now, in honour of her dad and to raise further funds to support others, daughter Georgia is preparing to take on the challenge of the TCS London Marathon in 2026.
Every donation will give encouragement to Georgia as she works through her training programme and mean such a lot to Andy and the whole family:
Support Georgia Downes’ London Marathon 2026