Sahara Trek 2025 - Fundraising event for The Beyond Recovery Project

‘The Beyond Recovery Project (CIC) supports the physical and mental health and overall wellbeing of brain tumour survivors, through the provision of outdoor and nature-based activities and therapies. Inspiring and empowering individuals to move forward "beyond recovery".’
This organisation provides ongoing support to those who have had to come to terms with a brain tumour diagnosis. For many of these individuals, this is often the beginning of a difficult journey to a new normal with the daily mental and physical challenges that can arise not least in dealing with low self-esteem, compromised abilities, changes to the way they look and ongoing treatments. The organisation helps to give brain tumour survivors the extra support they need, especially from speaking to those who have been on a similar journey which can be so empowering.

On the 17th of November 2025, I will be part of an expedition with eight other brain tumour survivors embarking on a trek of 100km in the Sahara Desert. This is a fundraising event for The Beyond Recovery Project.
This will be a physical challenge and a true strength of character test for the amazing group of individuals that will be undertaking this venture, not least those with compromised balance issues like me!! Preparing and training for the physical endurance has been the focus this year and I am looking forward to proving that I can do this to help raise awareness and funds for this remarkable organisation. One that I am immensely proud to be part of.
The website https://thebeyondrecoveryproject.org/ gives information on the work and events they are involved in. All donations will be gratefully received.

Carl

My story:
I had been having worsening issues with the hearing in my right ear, including extreme tinnitus, hearing loss and sound sensitivity (hyperacusis) over a number of years with many health professionals telling me it was a just recurring ear infection; little did I know how wrong they were.
It’s July 2020 and following a sudden loss of hearing on the right side I’m at Warrington Hospital speaking to an ENT specialist who is giving me the option of a hearing aid following a hearing test. I told him ok, but I had a gut feeling that ‘something just didn’t seem right’. Following his suggestion and a week later I had an MRI scan, and on the 5th of August 2020 the results came in and the ENT consultant called me… “Mr Turnross, you have a rare brain tumour – it’s called an acoustic neuroma.” The next few weeks and months were difficult emotionally and psychologically “why me?” and speculation on my future. This type of tumour is extremely rare, it’s not genetic, typically grows on your vestibular (balance) nerve but is closely associated with the cochlear (acoustic) nerve, it is slow growing and also benign.
I was put on a ‘watch and wait’ period to monitor any changes, but after 6 months I was told by my ENT consultant at Aintree University hospital that I would have to have treatment as the tumour was now starting to compress my brain stem.
On March 4th, 2021, at Clatterbridge hospital in Liverpool, I underwent a gamma knife radiosurgery procedure to control the growth of the tumour. The procedure was successful in that it has currently controlled the growth; the procedure did however cause some collateral damage to some of the surrounding treated area which unfortunately has resulted in other nerve related issues.

My mindset has shifted from feeling sorry for myself; every day is precious, and we can all take our health for granted which is never guaranteed. My journey to acceptance of my condition and dealing with the associated symptoms has been hard, not least with single sided hearing loss which for so many can be very isolating, anti-social and depressing. I feel truly blessed with having some incredibly amazing family and friends around me that take time to listen, empathise and support when things are not going so well.

Created by brain tumour survivor Sara Crosland, The Beyond Recovery Project has been truly inspiring for me and has had such a positive impact on my overall well-being. It has built a strong and special community where I can regularly attend (and sometimes conduct) walks in a natural and relaxing environment with other brain tumour survivors. We share our stories and struggles knowing we each have the ability to totally “get-it”, having had similar experiences which is so powerful.

On the weekend 10th - 12th October the expedition team all met in Snowdonia for our last training weekend before we set off on 15th November for the Sahara fundraiser 🌵🐫