Dr Neville Collins, 76, was sent home without a brain scan after he forgot to pick up his wife, Georgina, 60, and was so disorientated he couldn’t remember what she was called when she got home
A vice-principal was diagnosed with a rare brain tumour after he forgot to collect his wife from work and couldn’t recall her name. Dr Neville Collins, 76, failed to pick up his wife, Georgina, 60, and was so confused he couldn’t remember what she was called when she arrived home.
However, the pair said the episode was brushed off as a “collapse” by doctors – despite him never actually falling down – and he was discharged without receiving a brain scan. Neville’s temperament and memory deteriorated and following memory evaluations and an MRI he was diagnosed with a grade 2 glioma in the front left temporal lobe.
Throughout the past eight years Neville’s condition has deteriorated and a biopsy in February confirmed he had oligodendroglioma – a rare form of glioma brain tumour. He has completed six weeks of radiotherapy and started a 36-week course of PCV chemotherapy – a combination of chemotherapy drugs – in August 2025.
Georgina, a business owner from Halifax, said: “It was completely out of character when he didn’t pick me up. Over the following weeks, Neville’s memory and mood declined, but despite GP visits and memory tests, no one considered a neurological cause.”
Neville successfully completed the assessments administered at a memory clinic, but was offered a brain scan. This resulted in an MRI and in August 2018 he was referred to Leeds General Infirmary, where medics diagnosed a grade 2 glioma.
Georgina said: “When we were first told, one of the most memorable things the consultant said to us was ‘it will get you in the end’. There was no empathy, no clarity – just leaflets and the offer of a support nurse.
“Thankfully, we were later transferred to a more compassionate consultant who gave us a clearer plan. For several years we monitored the tumour with regular MRIs, but Neville also had to deal with prostate cancer and seizures.
“We now know that what happened back in 2017 was likely his first seizure. His care felt so fragmented, and we ended up learning how to manage the seizures from epilepsy charity websites rather than medical professionals.”
By 2023, Neville’s condition had deteriorated. His fits became more regular and both his mental and physical wellbeing declined.
Following an extended wait for specialist advice, a biopsy was performed in February 2025. The findings revealed an oligodendroglioma – an uncommon form of glioma brain tumour. Neville received six weeks of radiotherapy between April and June and started a 36-week programme of PCV chemotherapy in August 2025.
Georgina said: “Although the journey has been long and difficult, we now have a clear path forward. Neville continues to suffer symptoms including memory loss, word-finding difficulty, mood swings, balance issues, headaches, seizures and visual problems.
“He has lost much of his independence, including the ability to drive. Yet he remains determined to keep going. He still goes to the gym with me when he can, finding strength through movement and enjoying exercise.”
Georgina is collaborating with Brain Tumour Research to share Neville’s story and raise awareness about the need for earlier diagnosis and more investment in research. So far, she has raised nearly £12,000 and is training to take on the Rob Burrow Leeds Half Marathon 2026 in his honour.
She said: “Neville was a rugby player for 20 years and a man of immense resilience. He’s always been active, strong and sharp, both physically and mentally. He ran, cycled, played football and loved learning.
“We never thought this would be our story, but it is. Now we want to use our experience to help others. I hope that sharing our journey shines a light on the need for earlier diagnosis, joined-up care and, most of all, more research.”
Ashley McWilliams, community development manager at Brain Tumour Research, said: “Neville’s story highlights the desperate need for earlier diagnosis, joined-up care, and more research funding. We’re so grateful to Georgina for taking on this huge challenge to help us raise awareness and funds to get closer to a cure.”