Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

Last September I discovered that I have a low grade non-aggressive brain tumour. I had brain surgery to remove 95% of the tumour. I am very lucky - The tumour was in a good place for surgery. The bit that is left inside my head is low grade and non-aggressive. So far I am very lucky. From the moment I was taken into hospital in September 2010 I have been really lucky with the team looking after me - They have been and continue to do an amazing job. Their care, attention, empathy and honesty has been inspirational. Yet again, I have been very lucky.

Very little is known about brain tumours - we don't know why they occur for example. According to research, brain tumours kill more men under 45 and women under 35 than any other cancer (Brain tumour research). And brain tumours have overtaken leukaemia as the biggest cancer kiler of children in the UK, witht the number of children dying from a brain tumour in 2007, up 33% on 2001. We need to know more about them - about the causes and research that works towards finding a cure. I really want to help - to give something back for the care I have received and to help to fund the great work that the Samantha Dickson Brain Tumour Trust do. 

Samantha Dickson Brain Tumour Trust (SDBTT) is the leading charity dedicated to adult and childhood brain tumour research in the UK. Our aim is to raise awareness, support and funds for brain tumour research to help fight this devastating disease and give hope to brain tumour patients in the future.

Samantha Dickson Brain Tumour Trust was registered with the Charity Commission by Samantha’s parents, Neil and Angela in December 1996. Samantha had died of a brain tumour on 31st October 1996, just six days before her 17th birthday.

Since 1996, the Trust has become the largest brain tumour charity in the UK with the highest level of laboratory based childhood and adult brain tumour research in the country.  The Trust offers support to patients diagnosed with a brain tumour as well as their families and carers.

Please join me in helping - however much you can - anything. I am running the 2011 London Marathon. I have checked with my medical team and they think I can do it. So, I will be running the 2011 London Marathon with 5% of a brain tumour still inside my skull. If you can, even a couple of quid please help me to support this charity. Please. We really need your help - and any amount is fantastic! I really hope that you can give the Samantha Dickson Brain Tumour Trust a couple of quid.

Yes I am a bit worried about doing the marathon - especially as I haven't really exercised since my brain surgery and I don't have long to train. I certainly won't be trying to beat any world records - but I will finish. I hope :o)

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

So please dig deep and donate now.