On 11th March 2018, Neil Bell died of brain cancer. It was a glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) - a terminal and extremely aggressive tumour. He battled the disease for fourteen months. It is devastating to watch a loved one suffer and Neil was incredibly brave. The boys (Josh who is now 16) and Barnaby (who is now 12) and myself lost a wonderful father and partner; Eric lost a son and Nigel lost a brother.

The sadness felt by all his family and friends - as well as the huge number of people who knew him as the jovial face of sports reporting on BBC South East Today for three decades - exists alongside the desire to do something positive. So, around the first anniversary of his death we are trying to turn our sadness and loss into hope by doing something positive to mark this first anniversary.

There were a number of incredible charities involved in Neil's care, but our focus is on The Brain Tumour Charity. It is the world's leading brain tumour charity, which was named UK Charity of the Year in 2018. In our experience, the treatment for brain cancer is incredibily punishing for the patient. We know a cure may be some way off, but any improvement in finding better treatment with a chance for a more favourable quality of life are positive steps. We know more about black holes than we do about the brain! So, funding pioneering research into this disease is a priority and providing support to all those facing this shocking diagnosis, and their loved ones.