![\"Craig](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/0_NGR-280626-CRAIGDUNN04jpeg.jpg\")
<\/p>\nCraig Dunn is creating videos and birthday cards for his daughter to look back on and remember him<\/p>\n
17:39, 28 Jun 2026Updated 17:56, 28 Jun 2026<\/p>\n
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Craig Dunn with partner Nabela and daughter Serena(Image: Craig Dunn)<\/p>\n
A first-time dad is heartbroken that he won’t get to see his little girl grow up after being given months to live. Craig Dunn felt like life was finally getting back on track after undergoing surgery to remove a brain tumour last year.<\/p>\n
The 35-year-old, who lives in South Shields<\/a>, was due to marry his fianc\u00e9e Nabela in December and was busy planning their “dream wedding” at The Croft in Darlington, which they have had to cancel. He was also soaking up life as a dad to three-year-old Serena.<\/p>\n But following a recent routine scan, in May this year he received the unexpected news that the tumour had returned and cancer had spread to his spine. Despite experiencing no symptoms, he has now been given up to 12 months left to live.<\/p>\n Craig said: “It’s been awful. Mentally, it’s probably the worst news anybody could ever receive. It’s just hard to overcome it and I’m trying my best for my daughter. But it’s tough, especially when you’re not expecting it at all.”<\/p>\n Craig was diagnosed with Medulloblastoma, a rare and aggressive brain tumour, in May 2025 after suffering from severe headaches for about two weeks. He underwent major brain surgery followed by radiotherapy and chemotherapy and things seemed promising when he was placed in remission.<\/p>\n Craig, who received a routine check-up every few months, said: “In September, I was told ‘Brilliant Craig, everything’s going really well’. Then in January, ‘everything’s going really well’.<\/p>\n “So I had it in my mind that [it was going to be no different], especially with the way I was feeling and with no symptoms whatsoever. Last year I had headaches so I knew what I was looking out for, whereas this year I didn’t.”<\/p>\n He added: “I had zero symptoms. I was finally getting my life back on track and I felt really good. Then I get called into a meeting to say that they’ve found another tumour, another Medulloblastoma.<\/p>\n “Over the last couple of weeks, my life has been tipped upside down. They’ve done another operation and I’ve had a few symptoms from that, I wasn’t feeling too good.<\/p>\n “They’ve done a thorough check on the actual tumour and due to how quick it’s come back, it’s now classed as very aggressive. They’ve now said I basically have months to a year left to live.”<\/p>\n Craig, who is originally from Sunderland<\/a>, is now trying to make the most of the time he has left. He has rearranged his wedding and will marry Nabela at the local registry office on July 10. He is also trying to make as many memories as possible for his daughter to look back on as she grows up.<\/p>\n Craig Dunn and his daughter Serena(Image: Craig Dunn)<\/p>\n Craig said: “I think what hurts me the most is the fact that she’s going to grow up and she’s not going to remember me. And if she does remember me, it’s just going to be through pictures, videos, and stuff like that.<\/p>\n “I don’t have the chance to actually have a full conversation with her yet because she’s not at that stage, which is heartbreaking, it’s awful. She doesn’t know anything that’s going on.”<\/p>\n He added: “I want to do a ‘dear dad’s’ diary for her. I want to do each and every one of her birthdays. I want to do videos for her, but I want to get her involved in the video, so when she does look back in like five, six, seven, eight years time, she can see herself involved in daddy’s videos.<\/p>\n “I want to get her birthday cards. I just want to get as many memories as I possibly can and create it with her.”<\/p>\n As well as creating memories for Serena to look back on, a GoFundMe page has also been set up for Craig and his family to help them make memories and financially support them in the future. Craig said that after being diagnosed with Sepsis in 2018 and requiring life-saving surgery in hospital, he was unable to obtain life insurance. In just three days since the fundraiser was set up it has already generated over \u00a356,000.<\/p>\n It is also hoped that the fundraiser will raise awareness of Craig’s diagnosis and support greater research and treatments for Medulloblastoma. He explained that while this form of cancer is more commonly found in young children, it is extremely uncommon in adults, meaning there is very little research and limited treatment options available.<\/p>\n For more information and to donate, visit the GoFundMe page here<\/a>.<\/p>\n Did you know you can make ChronicleLive a preferred source of North East news in Google, which will mean you get more of our breaking news, exclusives, and must-read stories straight away? 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