Stroke survivor, 12, to be Luton mascot in final

A 12-year-old stroke survivor said he was really excited to be his team's mascot for the English Football League Trophy final at Wembley Stadium.

Kayden Douglas-Imasuen, a Luton Town fan from Wootton in Bedfordshire, suffered a stroke during his third operation to remove a brain tumour, which left him with some paralysis and sight impairment.

Doctors recently said he needed no more treatment after undergoing chemotherapy at Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge.

Kayden said he would give the Hatters "some good advice" when they met Stockport County on Sunday, 12 April, after they came from behind to beat Northampton Town 2-1 in the semi-final.

He was having physiotherapy and music therapy at Keech Hospice when he got the opportunity to meet some of the Luton Town players.

The club stayed in touch, which eventually led to him being asked to be the team's mascot.

It posted video on social media of Kayden visiting the dressing room.

Kayden said he was prepared for the noise of Wembley, and had got some ear defenders to drown out some of the chanting from fans.

Kayden's mum Lizzy, a student nurse, said his brain tumour was spotted after he went to an opticians in August 2024.

This came after repeated visits to the GP, which she said did not spot the issue.

"The optician did some tests. His eyesight looked like he was having a lazy eye," she said.

He was given an emergency referral to Bedford Hospital after raised pressure was discovered in his head.

"He stayed there overnight and an MRI scan showed a brain tumour," Lizzy added.

She said if it was not for the appointment with the optician, Kayden "might not be here" and that is something she "keeps reliving".

About 420 children are diagnosed with tumours each year, according to Cancer Research UK

The charity added tumours affecting the brain and central nervous system are the second most common type of children's cancer in the UK.

Brain tumour symptoms

Cancer Research UK said the symptoms can be very similar to those of childhood illnesses. They include:

Feeling or being sick

Headaches

Seizure (fit)

Problems with eyes or vision

Babies head circumference getting bigger

Strength, balance and coordination problems

Behaviour changes

Cancer Research UK said it was important for children to see their GP if they had worrying symptoms.

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