A fundraising campaign has been launched to help send Lizzie Pitt for life extending brain tumour treatment in Germany.
Lizzie, who was born in Ilkley and who grew up in town with her family - her maiden name was Graham, was diagnosed with a glioblastoma, an aggressive and incurable brain cancer, in 2025 after suffering a sudden seizure at home, and now needs to raised £120,000 to access specialist treatment abroad.
She went from being a healthy, busy teacher and mum to facing the devastating reality of a terminal illness.
Recently on BBC's Look North Lizzie explained:
“I was literally sat on the settee with my laptop, I must have got up and had a seizure, but I didn’t know. I was on the floor and our son came downstairs and shouted to his dad saying, ‘Mum’s acting weird.’”
Since then, she has endured awake brain surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and private treatment in London. Her journey was made even harder by an early misdiagnosis, yet through it all she has shown extraordinary strength and determination - always thinking of others, even while fighting for her own life.
Although Glioblastoma is terminal, Lizzie has already defied expectations. Her response to treatment has been stronger than first predicted, and she remains determined to do everything possible to extend her life for as long as she can.
[Lizzie Pitt [Graham] grew up in Ilkley and now lives in Littondale]
There are now no further treatment options available to her in the UK, either on the NHS, or privately.
However, a specialist treatment is available in Germany: Adjuvant Individualised Multimodal Immunotherapy - a personalised approach designed to slow progression and help keep the disease at bay following the primary treatment Lizzie has already received.
It is not a cure. But it offers the possibility of extending Lizzie’s life and preserving her quality of life for as long as possible.
To access this treatment urgently, Lizzie needs to raise £120,000 to cover the treatment itself, travel, accommodation, and essential living costs while in Germany.
After already raising funds for private treatment in London, the financial strain on the family is overwhelming. So an appeal has been launched to help Lizzie access this next stage of treatment, to give her the best possible chance of more birthdays, more ordinary days, and more time with the people who love her.
So support please visit: www.gofundme.com/f/help-lizzie-access-urgent-specialist-brain-tumour-treatment
Ilkley businesses suffer as representative protest against new parking charges
Ilkley MP reveals which Town of Culture bid he is backing
New Ilkley based production company presents Bindweed
Airedale Hospital introduces new service for prostate cancer
Yorkshire residents needed for new series of BBC's Gladiators
Lexus Ilkley Open x Beyond The Baseline 2026
Village panto raises over £3,000 for good causes
Have a cracking time at Nell Bank this Easter
Ilkley Pre-School faces closure without urgent financial lifeline
MP shares update on redevelopment of Airedale Hospital
Age UK shop is Ilkley appeals for donations as stocks are low
Fuggle & Golding saved by Horsforth Brewery
Joanna seeks life-extending treatment after brain tumour diagnosis
Winners revealed for Ilkley Business Awards 2026
Airedale Hospital charity hits the road for its fifth annual World Book Day adventure
Yorkshire Water, what is happening behind all those blue hoardings?
Ilkley Cemetery's Beanlands Parade gates repairs
Local MP backs campaign to protect affordable residential experiences for young people
Claire Baxter Gallery announces closure in Ilkley
Ilkley's Annual Town Meeting and Citizen Awards 2026
