Charlotte Newman: A Story of Resilience, Hope and Determination
- Yorkshire Ladies Links
- Oct 15
- 5 min read
Let’s Look Back at Our Guest Speakers...
Over a week ago, Yorkshire Ladies Links hosted the Hellomynameis Charity Lunch and Business Showcase, a truly inspiring event filled with connection, purpose and powerful stories.
One of our surprise guest speakers was Charlotte Newman, whose journey moved and inspired everyone in the room.
Charlotte Newman is a Partner in family law, a devoted wife and a proud mother of two little boys.
Today, she stands in a role she once could have only dreamed of. Not simply because of her professional success, but because there was a time when her future felt impossibly uncertain.
Her journey began in 2011, in the final year of her Law degree at university. At just 21 years old, Charlotte was diagnosed with Ewings Sarcoma, a rare and aggressive form of cancer that typically affects teenagers. She remembers vividly the moment her consultant uttered the word cancer as everything else faded into silence. In an instant, her life was derailed by the fear of losing her hair, her studies, her health and ultimately her life.
Her treatment plan was gruelling: 16 rounds of chemotherapy, major surgery to remove the tumour and six weeks of radiotherapy. When the cancer spread during treatment, she faced even harsher rounds of high-dose chemotherapy and a stem cell transplant. There were frequent infections, complications and unplanned stays in isolation. The odds were brutally against her, with her chance of survival less than 30%.
Yet amidst this storm, Charlotte found something unexpected: strength. When she first walked onto Ward 94 at St James’ Hospital, run by the Teenage Cancer Trust, she discovered a sanctuary of colour, warmth and community. It was not just a hospital ward; it was a place filled with hope, with laughter, with young people who understood exactly what she was facing. The Teenage Cancer Trust not only gave Charlotte world-class care but also the courage to keep fighting. She credits them with igniting a resilience she never knew she had.
For almost a year, hospital walls became her world. She lost her hair, her physical strength and at times, her identity. But she never lost sight of the life she longed to live. In 2012, after months of unimaginable struggle, Charlotte received the news she had been praying for: she was cancer-free.
Determined to reclaim her future, Charlotte returned to university in 2013. While her peers worried about essays and exams, she balanced studies with MRI scans and blood tests. She graduated with First Class Honours, proof not only of her academic capabilities but of her unshakable determination.
That same year, Charlotte began her legal career at Stowe Family Law, the firm where she has remained ever since. Rising from paralegal to Partner, she has built a reputation as a tenacious, empathetic advocate for her clients, specialising in divorce, finances, prenuptial agreements and child disputes. Those who work with her often describe her as someone you want in your corner, compassionate, strong and unwavering.
But Charlotte’s story extends far beyond her career. In 2013, she became the face of the Teenage Cancer Trust, sharing her story at their Royal Albert Hall fundraising concerts. Each night, she stepped on stage with Noel Gallagher, transforming from a nervous young woman into a confident speaker who could hold an audience of thousands. That week alone raised over a million pounds for the Trust, helping build more wards like the one that had once been her lifeline.
Since then, Charlotte has continued as a proud ambassador for the charity. She speaks at schools, businesses and events across the country, raising awareness of young people's cancers and inspiring others to believe in the power of resilience.
For her, it is a way of giving back. It ensures that other young patients can receive the same support she did.
In 2017, Charlotte married her husband James, the man who had sat by her hospital bedside every single day during treatment and has remained by her side ever since. He is her biggest supporter, and together they have built a life filled with love, partnership and strength.
The greatest joy of Charlotte’s life is being a mother to her two little boys, something she once feared would never be possible. They are her living, breathing reminders of hope fulfilled. Every milestone, every laugh, every bedtime story feels like a victory over the darkest days of her past. Motherhood has brought Charlotte the deepest sense of purpose: to nurture, to protect and to love with a fierceness only strengthened by her journey.
She often says her boys are her “why”, the reason she pushes through pain, chooses joy and never takes a single day for granted. For Charlotte, being a mum is not simply a role; it is the greatest privilege of her life.
Charlotte still lives with the long-term effects of her treatment. She faces daily pain and continues to attend annual check-ups to monitor her health. Yet she chooses every day to live fully, to channel her energy into her family, her work, her advocacy and her mission to inspire others.
Charlotte’s story is not just one of survival. It is a story of defiance in the face of adversity, of hope when the odds were stacked against her, and of faith in the belief that life is worth fighting for. She embodies resilience, courage and determination. Her journey reminds us all that even in our darkest moments, there is light to be found.
A Remarkable Voice at the Hellomynameis Charity Lunch
Charlotte’s appearance as a surprise guest speaker at the Hellomynameis Charity Lunch and Business Showcase was truly inspiring. She spoke with honesty, warmth and courage, sharing her story in a way that captivated everyone in the room. Her message of resilience and hope reminded us all that even in the most difficult moments, it is possible to find strength and light.
To connect with Charlotte, visit her LinkedIn profile here
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