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

Doggy Days set to return to Ilkley Lido
Foley Films returns to Ilkley with new autumn programme
Spellman Care named Health and Wellbeing Business of the Year
Runners for Great North Run raise over £17,000 for Yorkshire Air Ambulance
Sir Gareth Southgate helps raise £23,000 for Martin House at Ilkley golf event
Ashlands Bonfire to celebrate 40th anniversary with biggest-ever fireworks display
Off-peak roadworks begin on A65 near Ilkley
Ilkley businesses become Gold Sponsor of Clarke Foley Community Hub
Ilkley takeaway named among Tripadvisor’s top 10% worldwide
McDonald's near Ilkley seeks earlier opening hours
Ilkley care home resident celebrates 106th birthday
Fresh handmade bread coming to Three Little Birds in Ilkley
Former Ilkley bistro owner teases new venture on the High Street
New Ilkley travel agency to celebrate opening with special event
Mental health campaign launched in memory of son
Yorkshire writers in spotlight at Ilkley Literature Festival
Annual golf day raises £4,383 for Airedale Hospital
The Ilkley Cow enters search for UK's Favourite Local Business
New Ilkley care home announces opening date following 11 month refurbishment
Ilkley team raises £3,300+ for The Principle Trust in Three Peaks challenge


