Peacehaven rallies around barber after brain tumour diagnosis

Vance Manthorpe, from Brighton, was diagnosed with a primary stage-four malignant brain tumour at the end of last month and cannot get the treatment he needs from the NHS.

The 62-year-old, who is a Brighton season ticket holder, has been described by his family as someone with the "kindest heart” and a “pillar of the community”.

Vance and his wife Tasha have run a barber shop together in Peacehaven for more than 20 years, serving generations of families in the town.

Vance with three of his sons, a family friend and former Albion chairman Dick Knight. From left, family friend James McPhater, Jacob, Dick Knight, Bert and Eddie (Image: Supplied)

Since last Wednesday, more than £38,000 from hundreds of people was raised for Vance's family to be able to afford vital treatment privately.

But the family's hearts have been "shattered" after a consultation with a top brain surgeon in King's Hospital in London on Saturday.

They were told that due to the invasive nature of Vance's tumour, surgery which they were initially fundraising for was not an option anymore.

The family are now looking at different options such as medical trials.

His sister Julie Manthorpe, 51, said: "Vance is a fighter, he is strong, strong in body and still strong in mind. He does not want to give up on life and we, as his family, are not going to give up on him.  

"We have contacted centres in America, Sweden and Prague and seeing if there are any alternative therapies out there that can help in any way whatsoever, any extra time we have, no matter what that might be, is time to spend with this wonderful man.  

Vance cutting his grandson Frankie's hair. Pictured with his son and Frankie's dad Jake (Image: Supplied)

"The money that has been raised so far and in such little time has literally been so overwhelming, and a testament to how many people love Vance.

"Sadly this money cannot provide a cure, it can however continue fund the consultations we are continuing to have and give Vance and Tasha the opportunity to make whatever time is left, the absolute best it can be, doing whatever it is that brings a smile and happiness to them and of course, everlasting memories.

"Vance has been touched, feels immense gratitude and is totally humbled by this enormous outpouring of love and support. 

“There is honestly only one Vance in terms of the person he is. He is the kindest-hearted guy you could ever meet.

“He is always laughing, joking, always upbeat, always happy, always acting like a clown.

“He is like a magnet to people, people feel uplifted when they see Vance. Even his family now need him to keep their spirits high. Even in the face of this disease and adversity, he is the one that is joking.

“He has been working in Peacehaven as a barber for over 30 years in total. He has built up a huge clientele, the messages on the fundraiser that many people have been seeing him since they were children. People have grown to love him.

Vance at an Albion match with his daughter Emily (Image: Supplied)

“Businesses have donated £1,000, where else do you see that? Tasha and Vance are both icons in the town as husband and wife who have worked and lived together.”

Vance has been barbering in Peacehaven for more than 30 years in total.

He and his wife run Vance and Tasha's Barber Shop in South Coast Road, Peacehaven.

His daughter Emily Manthorpe added: “My dad has been an icon, a pillar of the community. He is a massive Brighton fan, he never misses a match. He is a family man. The Albion and his family are what he lives for.

“We are desperate to have more time with him and find this life-saving treatment.”

Vance’s family had concerns about his health for around six months. They noticed short-term memory loss and slurred speech, said Julie.

From left, Vance's son Bert, wife Tasha, son Jake, grandson Frank, Vance in the middle, granddaughter Lottie, daughter Emily, son Eddie, grandson George and daughter in law Charlotte (Image: Supplied)

Vance went to his GP in May with these concerns but it was only in July when an MRI scan revealed that he had a brain tumour.

Julie said people should always seek advice if they have concerns about their health or are showing abnormal symptoms.

“He is known for his quips, his great humour. As a family we started to notice that he wasn’t as quick with those responses as he normally would be. We thought it was a bit strange. He started forgetting things and started slurring his words sometimes", said Julie.

“Tash, his wife, was so concerned that she felt they needed an emergency consultation so went to A&E. It was there that he had an MRI scan which detected the tumour."

For more information on Vance's fundraiser, click here.