If you donate anonymously between 14th December 2023 and 31st December 2023 and would like to be in the Billy Bragg draw, please send me a direct message with your just giving confirmation. barnabyblack13@gmail.com  

How'd you fancy having a signed Billy Bragg Album??? In support of raising funds for Brain Tumour Research and my late pal Liam Bergin. At the recent gig in Edinburgh Usher Hall on 28th November Billy Bragg signed my copy of LIFE'S A RIOT WITH SPY VS SPY (still has the original John Menzies £2.99 price sticker),
To be in with a chance of being the new owner of this signed vinyl masterpiece make a donation to my just giving page between 14th December and 31st December. For every £3 you are able to donate it gets you an entry in the prize draw. So if you can give £6 you get two chances of winning....etc Thank-you all - I don't want to change the world, I'm not looking for a new england - just looking for a donation or two in memory of Liam and to raise funds for Brain Tumour Research.
🎸💜🙏

30th August Update:

I was meant to be at the Glenmore 24 on Saturday but have had a rubbish cold since the weekend that hasn't shifted. This has meant withdrawing from the race - reluctantly! 😟

It also means looking for a couple more challenges before the year ends. Which is why I have signed up for The Jedburgh 3 Peak Ultra in October. It's a different kind of challenge to what Glenmore 24 would have been, but hopefully I'll be there in full health and be able to give it my all in memory of Liam.

✌️💜🏃

Barney

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Sadly, Liam passed away on the morning of June 26th aged just 52. 3 years after his brain tumour diagnosis.

There has since been a celebration of his life with family and friends, who all treasure their own memories of Liam. 

We worked in the same company for a few years and he moved on before I did. When I left O2 in 2020 Liam was one of a handful of people who reached out and asked how I was doing.

A month later I found out he had been diagnosed with a grade 4 terminal brain tumour and had a prognosis of 18 months. We kept in touch over the last 3 and a bit years - in that time he raised £45,000 for Brain Tumour Research and engaged with countless people inspiring them to get involved in various challenges and fundraising events. 

I decided to get involved and called Liam to see how I could help and  raise awareness and some funds.

We last spoke on the Friday evening before the Cateran Trail Ultra in May when he called to wish me good luck and that he and his lovely family were wishing me the best of luck for what lay ahead the next day. 

Liam was a kind, gentle, inspirational man and will be hugely missed by family and friends. 

The remained of 2023 I have a few runs still to do and each one will be in memory of Liam raising funds and awareness for Brain Tumour Research 

 RIP x 

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All Cancers are sh1t and my friend Liam Bergin has had his latest scan which wasn't good news. But he carries on and continues to do everything he can to raise awareness and funds for Brain Tumour Research.

This year I will be running a few events, some official some just a personal challenge. These are the official ones...

13th May -  Cateran Trail: 55 miles/90 kilometres and 7450ft/2250m ascent and 15 Hours to complete. With 4 checkpoints with cut-off times. https://caterantrailrace.co.uk/

11th June - Mhor Half Marathon https://tayfitness.com/events/run-mhor/

2nd September - Glenmore 24 - 4 mile loops with 400 feet elevation on each loop. https://runyarocket.com/race/glenmore-24/ 

If you have graciously supported me before with donations all I ask is that you share this message. 

I did not know that more children and adults under the age of 40 die of a brain tumour than any other cancer. 

I hope you'll support me, supporting Liam and everyone else who are very sadly affected by one of the most underfunded cancers out there!

This is a link to Liams page and his story, 

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/liam-bergin5

You'll also be able to follow us both on Twitter

@liamdbergin

@BarneyDBlack

Thank-you for all of your support.

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. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.