In 2018, my Mum received a brain scan after slurring her words one evening, which revealed a brain tumour. This already impossible news was only intensified when we learned that her brain tumour was in fact secondary cancer, and therefore, stage 4 incurable cancer.

Following this devastating diagnosis, she was given amazing support and medication from the Western General Hospital in Edinburgh, which helped her to lead a very normal life. This was all made possible by all those who have already fundraised to support Brain Tumour Research for an exceptional cause.

I wanted to give something back and support the research that helped Mum, so in 2019, I trained for and ran the London Marathon with no previous running experience. In fact it is safe to say that I really did not like running, but I wanted to raise funds for Brain Tumour Research so that others can benefit from their, and the other cancer research team's incredible work.

Mum came to London that day and she really enjoyed seeing me finish - so much so, that I promised her I would run one more marathon, which was supposed to take place the following year in 2020. Unfortunately, that was Covid’s year, and the London Marathon was cancelled.

On 14^th March 2022, my Mum very sadly passed away. A year on, and here I am, ready to keep my promise to my Mum.

Although she won’t be there cheering me on at the finish line, I’m running the 2023 London Marathon to help raise funds again for Brain Tumour Research, in her honour, to help them find a cure for what is easily one of the worst killers. 

More children and adults under the age of 40 die from brain tumours than from any other cancer, yet the historical national spend on brain tumour research is just 1% of cancer’s allocated research funding.

There is no known cause of brain tumours, and no set path to keep people safe. 

Brain Tumour Research is on a mission to change this, and you can help, by sponsoring my 2023 London Marathon Run in memory of my beloved Mum.