Community rallies around Wigan ex-pat teacher recovering from brain tumour

Gavin Aspinwall has already undergone major surgery to remove the tumour in Malaysia, but his health insurance will not cover the costs of his lengthy rehabilitation.

The 41-year-old, who is originally from Platt Bridge, lives in the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur, where he teaches science at an international school.

Recently, Gavin attended a routine check up at a local hospital to talk to doctors about a recurring headache he had been having.

A scan of Gavin’s head revealed that he had a large, aggressive tumour growing in the centre of his brain, which would require major surgery.

The neurosurgeon placed him in the top priority category for an operation, to attempt to remove the tumour as soon as possible.

Gavin thankfully came through the surgery successfully and is recovering in hospital, soon to move in with friends to further support him with his recovery.

Although Gavin’s medical insurance covered the initial cost of the surgery, it does not cover many of the expenses that he now faces druing convalescence and as he continues to battle to remove the rest of the tumour from his brain.

Gavin is facing further bills for his recovery support and physiotherapy, radiation and chemotherapy treatment, further hospital admissions including consultation costs, recovery scan fees, and potential further surgeries.

The fund-raiser was launched by Gavin’s colleague Matthew Hunt-Brown, who said: “I have known Gavin for just over one year as both a friend and work colleague.

“He came to work at my school in September of 2019 and we became friends shortly after this.

“He has developed to be a very close friend of mine - he is an exceptionally kind and friendly character, who has made friends all across the world in the different places he has travelled and taught.

“Although I have only known Gavin for a relatively short period of time, I know he is someone who would do anything to help support his friends, family or community.

“This page is to help support him in this particularly difficult time in his life.”

So far, the campaign has raised more than 201,000 MYR (Malaysian Ringgit) which equates to slightly more than £37,400.

Donations can be made to the fund-raiser by clicking here.

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