June 30, 20258 min read"I just wanted her to get to prom" — Girl with brain tumour nominates teacher who helped her reach milestone once thought impossible
From naps between lessons to cheering her on at prom — Mrs Smith has gone above and beyond to support Eve, a student living with a brain tumour. Now in Year 11, Eve is getting ready to celebrate a milestone she never thought she’d reach, and it’s all thanks to her Teacher of the Year nominee.
When Eve Wilson was diagnosed with a brain tumour at just 10 years old, her family couldn’t have imagined how far she would come — or that she’d be preparing for prom just a few years later. But this week, Eve, now a Year 11 student at Crookham, is doing exactly that.
To thank the teacher who helped make it possible, Eve, a Year 11 student at Crookhorn College, has nominated Mrs. Smith for Collection Pot’s Teacher of the Year.
Eve has faced a long and difficult journey. Diagnosed with a brain tumour at the end of primary school, she underwent surgery, but doctors were unable to remove all of it. Just a year later, the tumour began to grow again.
“She started having symptoms and got poorly again, we were told that it was growing and her eyesight was at risk. She got sent to Manchester for treatment.”
Her treatment ended just before she began secondary school — a daunting transition made even harder by the after-effects of illness.
“She lost some of her hair and she was self conscious.”
Wanting to give her daughter the best chance possible, Penny contacted the school in advance.
“I contacted the school to put in place all the special measures so she could get through school.”
From day one, the family received outstanding support which has been led by Mrs Smith.
“She needs a lot of support to get through school, she gets tired super easily. Previously I would pick her up when she was tired and that would be it. But with the help of the school, they made a room where she could have a nap in so she could stay longer. All the way through school, every time it got tricky she could always go to Mrs Smith and Mrs Smith would make sure there was somewhere she could go to rest.”
Even with that support, school was never easy — but Mrs Smith was always there.
“She had wobbles where she didn’t want to go to school, but every time I would call Mrs Smith and she would help ease her worries and see what they could do to help.
“Mrs Smith would email all the teachers, she also keeps in mind how Eve is doing and if she might be anxious, for example. every time she goes for an MRI scan, we have that fear it might be growing.”
Mrs Smith also made sure Eve never missed out on school life, from day-to-day learning to once-in-a-lifetime experiences.
“Mrs Smith made it so Eve could do everything the other kids did, for example on school trips, Mrs Smith will mind her medication.”
As Eve approached her GCSEs, her mum worried that she would struggle with the increased workload.
“She gets headaches when she concentrates so GCSEs have been a particularly hard time.”
But Mrs Smith stepped in again.
“Mrs Smith helped her do two GCSEs a year early and they have let her go on study leave early.
“She only manages to go to school 50% but I still think she will pass her GCSEs because of all the support she has.
“She just gets the most amazing support from all of the teachers, which is led by Mrs Smith, it gives Eve the confidence to go to school."
“She has changed Eve’s life, she wouldn’t have survived school without her.”
Eve shared her own words in the nomination:
“I’m hopeful because of everything she’s done that I am gonna be successful with my results this year but she’s made me love school again and has been phenomenal. I would love her to be appreciated and recognised for everything that she’s done for me and all the other children that she supports.”
For Penny, this week’s milestone is more meaningful than words can express.
“She has prom on Thursday. My aim has always been to get Eve through senior school. When she was leaving junior school she missed out on so much because she was in Manchester having treatment. It is so important to have her celebrate leaving secondary school.”
She added:
“There are so many kids who have cancer, and not all of them have the support that Eve has. Normally it is so hard to find a way to thank teachers and it’s nice to have a way to do it.”
Mrs Smith didn’t just help Eve stay in school — she helped her love it again. Her care, calm, and commitment show exactly why she’s one of our Teacher of the Year 2025 finalists.
What happens next?
The Teacher of the Year 2025 winner will be announced on 4 July, live on Fun Kids Breakfast with George.
We’ll be sharing each nominee’s story across our social channels in the run-up to the big reveal.
Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn to keep up with the countdown.
Want to see who else made the shortlist? Meet all the amazing finalists here.
And if you’ve got a teacher to thank before term ends, you can still create a Collection Pot today, the easy way to chip in together.
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