Richard Gospel, 44, from Aberdeenshire, Scotland, put his shooting pains in his back down to his job as a farmer
A farmer who dismissed shooting pains in his back as part of his demanding job was stunned to learn his symptoms were actually caused by an aggressive brain tumour. Richard Gospel, 44, began experiencing pins and needles at the back of his head along with shooting pains in 2023.
Attributing it to the “physical demands” of his role as a livestock farmer, his condition worsened several months later in January 2024 when he developed double vision whilst driving, which left him “feeling concerned”. Richard was sent for an eye examination, which detected pressure behind his right eye.
He was referred to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, Scotland, where an MRI scan revealed a cancerous brain tumour. Richard was diagnosed with grade 4 astrocytoma – an aggressive tumour which develops from the astrocyte cells in the brain.
On January 24, 2024, he underwent brain surgery at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, which successfully removed the high-grade parts of the tumour. He then underwent six weeks of chemotherapy and radiotherapy to shrink the remaining tumour and a second surgery to remove what was left in December 2024.
Following additional chemotherapy in March 2025, Richard, who lives with wife Catherine, 42, a nurse, is now awaiting a scan in September 2025 to see if the treatment has been successful and the cancer is gone.
Richard from Rothienorman, Aberdeenshire, said: “Being a farmer is a really physical job, so something was always aching. Being told it was a tumour was a massive shock.
“Everything from there happened so quickly. Farming involves so much long-term planning, but a brain tumour brings so much uncertainty.
“The worst thing was having to sell my sheep in the middle of lambing season because I could no longer look after them. I had to make a really quick decision. I still have some cattle, but I’ve really had to scale down. I recovered really well from surgery, but I suffered a seizure just a few days later at home.”
Catherine said: “I’m so proud of Richard and everything he’s been through. As a farmer, he has not taken well to having to slow down and take it easy, and having to give up driving has been very isolating for him.
“He is still working and managing to do bits around the farm, which is keeping him going. His last scan was very reassuring, so we’re hoping his next will be the same and then hopefully he’ll get a bit of a break in treatment for a while.”
On August 10, Richard and Catherine scaled 1,155m to reach the summit of Lochnagar Munro, Aberdeenshire, raising over £1,000 for Brain Tumour Research.
Ashley McWilliams, community development manager at Brain Tumour Research, said: “Richard’s story is a powerful example of how devastating a brain tumour diagnosis is. His resilience and determination to turn his experience into action is deeply inspiring. We’re incredibly grateful for his support and advocacy.”
To contribute to Richard’s fundraiser, visit www.justgiving.com/page/catherinemckenzie2