So as many of you will know, Dan, Luke, Paul and I are taking on Race to the Stones on the 14th July...yes we are crazy...but we are doing for a charity very close to our hearts. Myself and Luke have been closely affected with family members having a brain tumour.

In 2015 my mum was diagnosed with a brain tumour, no words can describe how it feels to be told your mum has a brain tumour, and I want as many people as possible to know about the truly awful disease. We have chosen this charity because they have provided invaluable support throughout. 

Why running? I only got into running when my mum got told she wasn't allowed to run on her own for a few months...so this is for you Mum! 

Thankfully she has made a full recovery and even managers to out run me on a few occasions! 

Lukes Nan was diagnosed with a brain tumour in January of this year and unfortunately passed away shortly after. She will be looking down on you Luke and be extremely proud of you. This shows that more needs to be done to raise awareness and gain funding for research! 

Brain tumours receive less than 1% of national cancer research spending. This is a shocking statistic and one that I feel needs help in being changed. 

Please take the time to sponsor us and support BTR! 

For more information about Brain Tumour Research visit www.braintumourresearch.org, email info@braintumourresearch.org or call the office on 01908 867200.  

Brain Tumour Research is the only national charity in the UK focused on funding sustainable research to find a cure for brain tumours. They are building a game-changing network of world-class Research Centres of Excellence in the UK. Embracing passionate member charities nationwide, £5.5 million was raised towards research and support during 2016.

BTR are campaigning to see the national spend on research into brain tumours increased to £30 - £35 million a year, in line with breast cancer and leukaemia. The charity is celebrating a year of high-profile campaigning on this issue following the unprecedented success of its petition in 2016. Following that, Brain Tumour Research is now taking a leading role in the Government’s Task and Finish Working Group convened to tackle the historic underfunding for research.

Key statistics on brain tumours: 

• Just 1% of the national spend on cancer research has been allocated to this devastating disease.
• In the UK 16,000 people each year are diagnosed with a brain tumour.
• Less than 20% of those diagnosed with a brain tumour survive beyond five years compared with an average of 50% across all cancers.
• Incidences of, and deaths from, brain tumours are increasing.
• Brain tumours kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer.