A SKIPTON author has published her second book,13 years after she was hit with a brain tumour diagnosis

In 2009, Emma Crabtree, 50, was diagnosed with a terminal brain tumour and given just 18 months to live. Thirteen years later, she has just published her second children’s book - Big Boy’s Trip to the Farm.

Emma has raised nearly £800 since deciding to donate a portion of the proceeds from her books to Yorkshire’s Brain Tumour Charity.

Emma was diagnosed after experiencing bad headaches while working as a student support manager at the University of Leeds.

She said: “One day whilst driving I was unable to feel the gear stick and I had loss of feeling on my left hand side.

“I was taken to LGI and underwent several tests. The doctors didn’t think I needed a scan so I returned home that evening.”

Over the next few weeks, Emma’s headaches worsened and she began to feel nauseous. Her mum rushed her to A&E and insisted on an MRI. The scan revealed a mass the size of a grapefruit and Emma was rushed into surgery within a few days.

A week after her debulking surgery, Emma was told she had a grade 4 glioblastoma multiforme with a prognosis of 12 to 18 months. The then had radiotherapy and chemotherapy at St James’s Hospital, in Leeds.

After her treatment, Emma moved back to Skipton to live with her mum.

In lockdown, Emma rediscovered her passion for writing and illustration and fulfilled a lifelong ambition by publishing her first book, Big Boy’s Birthday Walk. She was inspired by Big Boy, a stray black and white cat who moved in with Emma and became her beloved pet, who sadly died in 2020. Emma’s neighbours’ pets feature as side characters in her stories.

"Naturally I wanted to ensure a proportion of any book sales is donated to Yorkshire’s Brain Tumour Charity, to help to raise as much awareness as possible of this devastating disease and to contribute towards research.”

Set on Crab Apple Farm, Big Boy’s Trip to the Farm is a heartwarming story that teaches children how much can be achieved when you pull together and work as a team.

Jennifer Aspinall, regional fundraiser at YBTC, said: “Emma is a huge inspiration. The support she has given to YBTC has been absolutely invaluable, helping us to continue being here for families who need us.”

Both of Emma’s books are available to buy at emmacrabtree.uk