Twelve-year-old schoolgirl with mind tumour wins JustGiving award
An inspirational schoolgirl with a brain tumour has won the JustGiving award after running 92 kilometres while enduring gruelling cancer treatment.
Maya Tohid, 13, was named Teen Fundraiser of the Year at the 2024 GoCardless JustGiving Awards on Wednesday night after raising thousands of pounds for charity, whilst battling a rare brain cancer.
Maya was just 12 when she started suffering from agonising headaches. After her parents begged doctors to carry out tests, an MRI scan revealed the youngster had a rare brain tumour called craniopharyngioma.
After surgeon’s tried to reduce the size of the tumour, Maya endured a gruelling course of proton beam radiotherapy near her home in Wilmslow, Cheshire.
Determined to show the deadly disease that it had ‘picked the wrong girl’, Maya set out to run 100km in the same month she was due to undergo 28 sessions of proton beam therapy.
Maya Tohid is named Teen Fundraiser of the Year at the 2024 GoCardless JustGiving Awards
At the age of 12, Maya ran 92km and raised over £10,000 for Young Lives vs Cancer
After completing 92km, the pain became too much for young Maya – although not one to leave a job unfinished, she forced her father to finish the last 8km.
Maya raised over £10,000 for Young Lives vs Cancer, surpassing her target of £1,000.
A panel of celebrity judges, including Strictly’s Amy Dowden and Paralympic swimmer Ellie Simmonds, shortlisted the top 21 finalists for this year’s JustGiving awards.
Around 50,000 members of the public cast their votes and Maya came out on top.
After her win, Maya told MailOnline: ‘When I heard my name, I was honestly shocked but so happy. I didn’t expect it at all.
‘I felt really proud because I know what I have been through and it means a lot to me that people believe in what I am doing to help others. It made me feel like I can really make a difference.’
As Maya was presented the award by Love Island’s Faye Winter and Netflix’s Bradley Riches, her mother Mahta, 42, and her father Reza, 48, were ‘overwhelmed with joy and pride’.
Mahta said: ‘It was a very emotional night, learning about everybody’s stories and their fundraisings.
‘We are so happy for Maya, knowing all her hard work and heart that she put into raising awareness for childhood cancer and money for Young Lives vs Cancer had been recognised.
‘We are incredibly grateful to JustGiving for this honour and for providing such an amazing platform that helps people like Maya make a real difference.’
Maya accepts the award at the JustGiving Awards ceremony on Wednesday night
Maya poses with presenters Faye Winter (left) and Bradley Riches (right)
The youngster was diagnosed with a rare brain tumour called a craniopharyngioma when she was 12
Maya Tohid (far right) fundraised while she was enduring 28 rounds of gruelling cancer treatment. Pictured: Maya, now 13, with her mother Mahta, 42, father Reza, 48, and sister Isla, eight
Maya went through scores of rounds of cancer treatment that left her fatigued and nauseas
Maya managed to run 92km out of the 100km challenge before the pain became too much
Pascale Harvie, President and General Manager of JustGiving said: ‘Huge congratulations to Maya on her fantastic award win.
‘We’ve all been completely blown away by her courage, dedication and all that she has achieved despite what she’s been through at such a young age.
‘It was a real honour to celebrate Maya and all of our incredible finalists at last night’s awards ceremony, they are all extraordinary.’
Between the 21 finalists and Special Recognition Award winner at this year’s GoCardless JustGiving Awards, hosted by Rylan Clark, over £16 million has been raised for good causes.
Dominique Davis, Director of Income Generation at Young Lives vs Cancer, said: ‘Last night’s Just Giving Awards showcased some of the most incredible fundraisers from across the UK.
‘For Maya to win shows just how inspirational her story, and her fundraising for Young Lives vs Cancer, is.
‘We can’t thank Maya enough for her efforts and everything she has done to raise awareness for Team Young Lives.’
Craniopharyngioma is a rare type of brain tumor that typically grows near the base of the brain, and mainly affects children and young people
Pictured: Maya during one of the proton therapy sessions
Maya puts on a brave face while spending time with her younger sister Isla, eight
After Maya won the award, her mother Mahta said ‘We are so happy for Maya, knowing all her hard work and heart that she put into raising awareness for childhood cancer and money for Young Lives vs Cancer had been recognised’
Pat Phelan, Managing Director of UK & Ireland and Chief Customer Officer at GoCardless said: ‘It was an honour to see Maya rewarded for her efforts at last night’s GoCardless JustGiving Awards.
‘The entire team of judges were incredibly impressed by her dedication to give back and help other young people battling cancer.’
