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Meet the amazing chair-bound youngster crowned Britain's Most Inspiring Fundraiser | The Sun |HomePage|Woman|Real Life
BLIND, almost deaf and confined to a wheelchair, many people in Nicole Dryburgh’s position would have given up on life.
Since the age of 11, the youngster has battled cancerous tumours, suffered a brain haemorrhage and a debilitating stroke.
But despite enduring years of chemotherapy and painful surgery, Nicole,19, has consistently refused to retreat into self-pity.
She has instead channelled her energies into helping others through tireless charity work.
Now The Sun has saluted Nicole’s bravery and dedication by naming her Britain’s Most Inspiring Fundraiser.
The prize, co-sponsored by charity search engine Everyclick.com, was established to honour the memory of cancer heroine Jane Tomlinson, who died last September aged 43.
Jane’s widower Mike, presented Nicole with a cheque for £20,000 at a moving ceremony in London, which she has donated to The Silver Lining Appeal at King’s College Hospital.
Mike paid tribute to his wife, saying: “Britain’s Most Inspiring Fundraiser is a fantastic tribute to Jane and a living memoriam to all she achieved.
“She inspired thousands of people, and demonstrated that ordinary individuals are able to make an extraordinary difference.
“I applaud Nicole and all the finalists and nominees.”
Brave mum-of-three Jane Tomlinson astounded the world by completing a string of gruelling charity challenges, raising £1.85m, whilst suffering from terminal cancer.
And in the same spirit, Nicole has fundraised tirelessly throughout her childhood, raising £25,000 for numerous charities whilst simultaneously battling cancer.
‘ I decided I wanted to give something back to all the charities that had helped me, and began organising fundraising events for them ’
The selfless teenager didn’t even realise her name had been called out as the winner until mum Jackie spelled it out on her hand using deafblind sign language.
A delighted Nicole said: “I have a lot of respect for Jane because she made something positive out of a bad situation.
“To win this prize is a real honour.
“I don’t fundraise to win awards but it is nice to feel recognised.
“I started fundraising in 2003 when I was 14.
“I wanted to help the charity Cancer and Leukaemia in Children who had helped me, so I donated a giant teddy to my school, which they raffled and raised almost £500.
“It gave me a real buzz and I decided I wanted to give something back to all the other charities that had helped me and began organising fundraising events for them.”
Over the past five years, Nicole has been organising coffee mornings, balls, fetes and even completing a sponsored silence.
Her next, and most daring feat, is a 100ft abseil.
She said: “In 2003 I set myself a target to raise £30,000 for The Silver Lining Appeal to buy specialist equipment for a neuro-rehabilitation room at King's College Hospital, where I had lots of my operations.
“The money will help children recovering from the severest brain and spinal injuries.
“I had already raised £21,000 for the appeal, so this cheque means I have surpassed my target, which is amazing.”
Nicole’s health problems began when she was just 11.
The youngster felt a sharp pain shoot through her right arm whilst swimming on holiday.
The pain persisted and eventually an operation revealed Nicole had a rare type of cancerous tumour close to her spine.
Its position meant the growth couldn’t be removed completely and had to be shrunk through radiotherapy.
Eventually life returned to normal when Nicole learned the cancer was in remission.
But just over two years later, in December 2002, Nicole collapsed at home after a piercing pain shot through her head.
The blood vessels around the tumour had burst causing a brain haemorrhage.
Nicole couldn’t move or speak, and at one point tests were carried out to see if she was brain-dead.
Shortly afterwards, Nicole suffered a debilitating stroke, Bell’s Palsy, which causes paralysis of the facial nerve and fits.
The haemorrhage left her blind and nerve damage meant she was wheelchair-bound.
‘ It was scary knowing I would probably end up being completely deaf as well as totally blind ’
Doctors also found aggressive tumours along her spine and infarctions - tiny spatterings of blood - around her brain.
In March 2003, Nicole’s mum Jackie was given the devastating news that her daughter didn’t have long to live.
Nicole said: “Although it was me going through everything, I think it was worse for my mum because she had to sit by and watch.”
But miraculously, chemotherapy combined with Nicole’s unwavering positivity paid off, and her health began to improve.
However, Nicole suffered another medical setback last year when tumours were discovered in her ears.
They are benign, but have destroyed her hearing.
She said: “When I lost my sight I didn’t actually think about it much.
“I was in hospital, and there were so many other problems to focus on, such as the fits I was having, the stroke and the fact my cancer was returning.
“Losing my hearing has been a lot more frustrating.
“It was scary knowing I would probably end up being completely deaf as well as totally blind.
“Mum and I panicked because we didn't know how I would be able to communicate with people, but I've now learnt the deafblind sign language, which helps.”
Despite facing crippling adversity, Nicole refuses to feel sorry for herself.
She has already penned a book about her struggle, which was published in January.
Nicole, whose cancer is currently in remission, said: “Yes I have my down days but I still try to be positive.
“That’s normally when I start planning my next fundraising event.
“I have a very matter-of-fact approach to life and believe in making the most of what I’ve got.”
BLIND, almost deaf and confined to a wheelchair, many people in Nicole Dryburgh’s position would have given up on life.
Since the age of 11, the youngster has battled cancerous tumours, suffered a brain haemorrhage and a debilitating stroke.
But despite enduring years of chemotherapy and painful surgery, Nicole,19, has consistently refused to retreat into self-pity.
She has instead channelled her energies into helping others through tireless charity work.
Now The Sun has saluted Nicole’s bravery and dedication by naming her Britain’s Most Inspiring Fundraiser.
The prize, co-sponsored by charity search engine Everyclick.com, was established to honour the memory of cancer heroine Jane Tomlinson, who died last September aged 43.
Jane’s widower Mike, presented Nicole with a cheque for £20,000 at a moving ceremony in London, which she has donated to The Silver Lining Appeal at King’s College Hospital.
Mike paid tribute to his wife, saying: “Britain’s Most Inspiring Fundraiser is a fantastic tribute to Jane and a living memoriam to all she achieved.
“She inspired thousands of people, and demonstrated that ordinary individuals are able to make an extraordinary difference.
“I applaud Nicole and all the finalists and nominees.”
Brave mum-of-three Jane Tomlinson astounded the world by completing a string of gruelling charity challenges, raising £1.85m, whilst suffering from terminal cancer.
And in the same spirit, Nicole has fundraised tirelessly throughout her childhood, raising £25,000 for numerous charities whilst simultaneously battling cancer.
‘ I decided I wanted to give something back to all the charities that had helped me, and began organising fundraising events for them ’
The selfless teenager didn’t even realise her name had been called out as the winner until mum Jackie spelled it out on her hand using deafblind sign language.
A delighted Nicole said: “I have a lot of respect for Jane because she made something positive out of a bad situation.
“To win this prize is a real honour.
“I don’t fundraise to win awards but it is nice to feel recognised.
“I started fundraising in 2003 when I was 14.
“I wanted to help the charity Cancer and Leukaemia in Children who had helped me, so I donated a giant teddy to my school, which they raffled and raised almost £500.
“It gave me a real buzz and I decided I wanted to give something back to all the other charities that had helped me and began organising fundraising events for them.”
Over the past five years, Nicole has been organising coffee mornings, balls, fetes and even completing a sponsored silence.
Her next, and most daring feat, is a 100ft abseil.
She said: “In 2003 I set myself a target to raise £30,000 for The Silver Lining Appeal to buy specialist equipment for a neuro-rehabilitation room at King's College Hospital, where I had lots of my operations.
“The money will help children recovering from the severest brain and spinal injuries.
“I had already raised £21,000 for the appeal, so this cheque means I have surpassed my target, which is amazing.”
Nicole’s health problems began when she was just 11.
The youngster felt a sharp pain shoot through her right arm whilst swimming on holiday.
The pain persisted and eventually an operation revealed Nicole had a rare type of cancerous tumour close to her spine.
Its position meant the growth couldn’t be removed completely and had to be shrunk through radiotherapy.
Eventually life returned to normal when Nicole learned the cancer was in remission.
But just over two years later, in December 2002, Nicole collapsed at home after a piercing pain shot through her head.
The blood vessels around the tumour had burst causing a brain haemorrhage.
Nicole couldn’t move or speak, and at one point tests were carried out to see if she was brain-dead.
Shortly afterwards, Nicole suffered a debilitating stroke, Bell’s Palsy, which causes paralysis of the facial nerve and fits.
The haemorrhage left her blind and nerve damage meant she was wheelchair-bound.
‘ It was scary knowing I would probably end up being completely deaf as well as totally blind ’
Doctors also found aggressive tumours along her spine and infarctions - tiny spatterings of blood - around her brain.
In March 2003, Nicole’s mum Jackie was given the devastating news that her daughter didn’t have long to live.
Nicole said: “Although it was me going through everything, I think it was worse for my mum because she had to sit by and watch.”
But miraculously, chemotherapy combined with Nicole’s unwavering positivity paid off, and her health began to improve.
However, Nicole suffered another medical setback last year when tumours were discovered in her ears.
They are benign, but have destroyed her hearing.
She said: “When I lost my sight I didn’t actually think about it much.
“I was in hospital, and there were so many other problems to focus on, such as the fits I was having, the stroke and the fact my cancer was returning.
“Losing my hearing has been a lot more frustrating.
“It was scary knowing I would probably end up being completely deaf as well as totally blind.
“Mum and I panicked because we didn't know how I would be able to communicate with people, but I've now learnt the deafblind sign language, which helps.”
Despite facing crippling adversity, Nicole refuses to feel sorry for herself.
She has already penned a book about her struggle, which was published in January.
Nicole, whose cancer is currently in remission, said: “Yes I have my down days but I still try to be positive.
“That’s normally when I start planning my next fundraising event.
“I have a very matter-of-fact approach to life and believe in making the most of what I’ve got.”