Pevensey woman sets out on challenge in memory of friend

Natasha Noll was in her first year of the old Tideway secondary school when she met her best friend Caroline Passfield. The pair grew up together in Newhaven and shared all the joys and tribulations of life over the more than 38 years they knew each other.

Caroline was diagnosed with a glioblastoma (GBM), a highly aggressive brain tumour with a prognosis of 12-18 months, after suffering a seizure whilst drumming in Brighton’s Pride parade in August 2017.

She underwent surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy, and remained stable for years. However, a routine scan in April 2022 revealed the 49-year-old had developed a second tumour.

The mum-of-three had another surgery followed by radiotherapy and chemo but died in a hospice in June 2023.

Caroline and Natasha at around 13 years of age (Image: Natasha Noll)

Natasha, 49, from Pevensey, said: “It was really hard. We always thought she’d be fine but, when her second tumour was found, reality hit.

“She’d been quite well until then but there was a definite change after that, and it all happened really quickly. We were talking every day and then, all of a sudden, she started getting more confused.

“Caroline was a very positive person. She never moaned and was always really strong. She was more concerned about her kids than anything. They were her absolute world, and she was also very close to her sisters and partner. It still feels weird not having her around.”

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In Caroline’s memory, and to honour her 50th birthday later this month, Natasha is taking part in the Brain Tumour Research charity’s 100 a Day Your Way challenge.

Friends Caroline, Caroline Passfield, Blade, Natasha Noll, Heidi and Louise (Image: Natasha Noll)

Participants are asked to do 100 reps of either squats, star jumps, sit ups, push ups, a plank, or a combination of all five exercises, every day in November.

The mum-of-three, who is taking part with four of their school friends said: “We wanted to do something as a friendship group, as it was coming up to Caroline’s birthday, to make people more aware of brain tumours and the lack of investment in research.

“Any pain we put ourselves through is nothing compared to what she went through.”

Caroline (Image: Natasha Noll)

Brain Tumour Research funds research at dedicated centres in the UK. It also campaigns for the government and larger cancer charities to invest more in research into brain tumours in order to speed up new treatments for patients and to find a cure.

Charlie Allsebrook, community development manager for Brain Tumour Research, said: “With one in three of us knowing someone affected by a brain tumour, Caroline’s story is, sadly, not unique. Brain tumours kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer, yet just one per cent of the national spend on cancer research has been allocated to this devastating disease since records began in 2002.

“We’re determined to change this but it’s only by working together we will be able to improve treatment options for patients and, ultimately, find a cure.”

To support Natasha’s fundraising, visit www.facebook.com/donate/1396688617593257.