60,000+ people are currently living with brain tumours in the UK, including my wonderful loving Mum, Gill Richards, who has very recently been diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancerous brain tumour.  

It has been a life-long ambition of mine to qualify for and run the London Marathon, which I’m doing for the first time this year. And even better, I am honoured to do so while now representing this fantastic charity on behalf of my Mum.

For far too long brain tumours have been seen as just too difficult to treat and although a great deal of research has been done, very little has been targeted at the surgical treatment of these tumours.

Brainstorm is a small charity, focused on the research and surgical treatment of brain tumours. This will enable surgeons to better treat patients and give them a better quality of life.  Their ultimate aim is to fight and, hopefully cure brain cancer in all its forms by funding dedicated research into the use of advanced translational imaging technologies and surgical techniques, in combination with therapeutic treatments.

On 23 April I will proudly be wearing my Brainstorm vest - they have never been represented at the London marathon before, so I better finish, no pressure! And with a little luck I will also see my Mum as she cheers me on in the crowd. If it's after mile 20 I'll either be walking, crying or at best shuffling towards the finish line.  Either way, I'll be stopping en-route to give her an enormous sweaty hug and thank her genuinely for all she has done for me and our extended family.  

Any money raised will make a huge difference to the work they do at Brainstorm, so please donate what you can. 

You can read more about their fantastic work here - Brainstorm (brainstormcharity.co.uk)

Thank you.

George x

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