Bank of Dave helps cancer patient Laura celebrate 22nd birthday just days after emergency surgery

Laura Nuttall from Barrowford, who has Glioblastoma, was taken to the skies in a helicopter thanks to Dave Fishwick, just days after undergoing major brain surgery.

Glioblastoma is a fast-growing and aggressive tumour that invades brain tissue, and after experiencing headaches and tiredness while in her first few weeks at uni, Laura was diagnosed with the condition and told in November 2018 that she only had 12 months to live.

But fast forward three years and Laura is continuing to make as many memories as possible, including ticking off another item on her bucket list.

However, just days before Christmas, and the day before her 22nd birthday, Laura was rushed to Salford hospital for major brain surgery after it was discovered her cancer had flared up again.

And following a successful operation, she was allowed to leave the hospital at 4pm on December 23rd, 24 hours after the surgery, to celebrate the last remaining hours of her birthday, and Christmas 2021, at home with her family.

Meanwhile, Dave Fishwick, from Burnley, who has helped raise awareness and money for Laura in the past, heard about the latest development and decided to step in to make another of Laura's dreams come true.

He said: "Laura was rushed in for an emergency operation a few days ago. I heard about this on Twitter and she missed her 22nd birthday, so I wanted to try and do something to cheer her up.

"On Laura’s bucket list she said that she wanted a ride in a jet helicopter, so I said let's make it happen.

"I thought, let's fly off in my jet chopper and find a cloud to sit on and celebrate her birthday."

And on Monday, Dave took Laura, sister Gracie, and mum Nicola out for a helicopter ride over Lancashire.

Race to raise £80k to prolong life of Laura Nuttall, 21, suffering with 'merciless' brain cancer

Dave continued: "We flew from my house to Blackpool and then flew over Blackpool tower and the piers, then we actually landed on the beach at Fleetwood, and got out and wrote our names in the sand.

"We then flew up to Morecambe and over Longridge and then Clitheroe over Pendle Hill and back to Sabden."

Laura's mum, Nicola, said they were over the moon to have their daughter home from hospital for Christmas, and when Dave contacted her via Twitter about the helicopter ride, said Laura would absolutely love to jump on board.

Following the once in a lifetime trip, she said: "So grateful to the incredible Dave Fishwick for taking Laura, Gracie and I on a trip to the seaside today.

"It was fantastic and we loved every second.

"Thank you so much Dave and his wife Nicky for a really wonderful experience."

Dave added: "Great Day today taking Laura, Gracie and their mum for a fly, high up into the clouds, to celebrate Laura’s 22nd birthday.

"Laura is incredibly inspiring, it was real pleasure to take her and her family, her strength of character is truly amazing."

Following Laura's diagnosis, mum, Nicola set up a fundraising page to raise money to help prolong Laura's life.

To donate head to gofundme.com/doingitforlaura