A WOMAN who has suffered with a brain tumour since she was a child is currently competing in a new TV business competition - dubbed the new Apprentice.

Abigail Pattison, 27, from Huntington, York, has battled with the reoccurring brain tumour since she was a child but it has not affected her determination to achieve her dreams as she sets her sights on winning the property investment competition called The Eviction.

Mrs Pattison has overcome the cancer three times in her life, and said that it has helped her become a stronger person.

She said: “I was diagnosed with a brain tumour when I was nine. I had brain surgery twice, at the age of 10 and 14. It grew back three times, so I needed radiotherapy to stop the growth. I have yearly check-ups, but the tumour is still there and affects me on a daily basis.

I lost part of my left side peripheral vision during the second operation which affects me daily. Having this experience as a young child has made me much more appreciative of life and determined not to let anything stop me.

Abigail’s dad, Nigel Pattison, said: “Abigail has always been a determined person and we are all so proud of her.”

Abigail gave up her job as a registered nurse at York Hospital to concentrate on setting up a property business with her fiancée, Ben Deighton.

Now she is currently taking part in a series of business challenges as she fights it out against eleven other budding property investors from all over the country as they attempt to impress property tycoon, and owner of the company Property Investors, Samuel Leeds, for the chance to win £20,000.

Speaking before the show began, she said that this competition is her biggest challenge yet and that it would mean the world to her if she could win.

“I wanted to be part of The Eviction to push myself out of my comfort zone, to show people what I am capable of and to learn even more about property.

“It would mean the world to me to win the competition. If I won, it wouldn’t take me and my partner long to find a suitable project to invest the money into it as we have so many big plans and goals for the coming months.”

Throughout April, the contestants have been living together at Caverswall Castle in the Staffordshire Moorlands, one of the last remaining moated castles in the UK, dating back to the 13th century.

Abigail’s progress in The Eviction will be charted in an in-depth documentary which will be available for viewing on TV on YouTube in May once filming is complete.

She said: “To anyone who has been in the same position as me, I would remind them to never give up. I am proof that things can get better if you put your mind to it.”