A five-year-old boy from Gloucester, diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of brain tumour, has had his dream of visiting Legoland come true, thanks to the Daily Mirror and generous supporters. Mason Hogg, who is described as 'Lego mad', was able to enjoy a weekend break at the Windsor theme park with his family before his sight potentially fails completely.
Mason's Diagnosis
Mason was diagnosed with multiple meningiomas — rare tumours in the thin tissue surrounding the brain — located behind his eyes, at the top of his head, at the base of his skull, and in his neck. Doctors have told his mother, Sarah Mckeown, 50, that Mason is the first child in the world to have tumours in these specific areas. This has made finding an effective treatment particularly challenging, and it has been 'touch and go' whether he would lose his eyesight entirely.
The Campaign
Sarah launched a heartfelt campaign to send Mason to Legoland before his sight deteriorates, so he could experience the colourful, imaginative world with all of his senses. The Daily Mirror, together with Legoland and GoFundMe, helped make Mason's dream a reality.
The Trip
Mason and his family — including his mum, aunt, cousin, two older brothers, and their partners — stayed at Legoland's Castle Hotel on Sunday, April 19. They enjoyed the Knight's Room, complete with a riddle that unlocked a safe containing a small bag of Lego for each guest. The family also received eight VIP Gold passes, providing unlimited Fastrack access to rides, all-day entry, a VIP lanyard, a Legoland driving licence, and access to the gold panning attraction.
Despite never having been on a rollercoaster before, Mason braved Legoland's iconic Dragon ride and loved it so much he went on it twice. He also enjoyed the Haunted House Monster Party, which spins riders upside down — a sensation he 'absolutely loved'. By the end of the stay, Mason did not want to leave and is already eager to return to explore more hidden gems.
Health Journey
Sarah first noticed something was wrong in July last year when Mason's left eye began to bulge. Despite initial reassurances, the swelling worsened over three months, and Mason began complaining of pain. An MRI scan revealed the tumours. The tumour behind his left eye was compressing his optic nerve, causing vision loss. Mason's left eye now protrudes slightly, and he can only see black and white blurs. Doctors have warned that the tumour is beginning to invade his right eye, sparking fears of total blindness.
Despite his ordeal, Mason remains a 'very happy little boy', his mother said. 'He's very clever, very chatty, and asks lots of questions. He's very inquisitive and a very switched-on little boy. He just enjoys life.'
Community Support
Sarah was overwhelmed by the support from her community and Mason's school, which helped fund the trip. She has also raised nearly £10,000 through GoFundMe. She is now appealing for any families or consultants who might have insight into Mason's condition, as he is the only child in the world with these aggressive meningiomas. 'There's no literature on it,' she said. 'Nobody knew or could answer what was going on.'
For now, the family is healing after a tumultuous four months, hoping that Mason will not lose his sight completely. Donations can still be made to Mason's GoFundMe page.
