My dad Danny Horton was diagnosed with an astrocytoma brain tumour in 2001 when he fell down the stairs in his home causing injuries to his face and head. As he was about to be discharged from hospital he had a seizure in which a MRI scan was performed revealing he had a tumour in his brain. As I was only 5 years old at the time he moved house to be closer and to spend the time he had left with me. Apart from taking medication for his epilepsy, he refused to undergo surgery and treatment such as chemotherapy or radiotherapy. 

As I was so young and he wanted to protect me, I did not know about his illness just that he had a 'poorly leg' which was actually from the brain tumour affecting the left side of his body causing him to limp. He didn't talk about his illness or he would just gloss over the details, mainly because he didn't want to upset me or the family. Eventually he moved in with his parents as he suffered from cognitive impairment and memory loss. 

Near the end, he agreed to undergo a biopsy which confirmed that his tumour was an astrocytoma and by this time inoperable. Dad passed away on the 26th April 2010 aged 36, I was just 12 years old. He walked his brain tumour path on his own, living with a gun to his head. My dad is my inspiration and role model and I miss him very much as I know he won't be here through my big events in life but will be in spirit and I am doing everything to make him proud of me. Dad served in the Royal Navy for 6 years and had always been a sporty person who supported me through my netball and especially with my dance. My dad was loved my many, for his humour and personality. 

My family and I organise a fundraising event for Brain Tumour Research in memory of dad which involves a eight mile multi terrain race called 'Danny's Dash' in which over £4000 has been raised so far.

I am now 17 years old and I am doing a skydive on Saturday 13th June 2015 in memory of my dad, to raise money for Brain Tumour Research, a charity that is close to my heart.