March is Brain Tumour Awareness Month and the Luff family have set ourselves some challenges in late March to raise funds for The Brain Tumour Charity.

100K IN MAY 👟// One Foot Forward; the runners of our local, Track Brewery will be taking on the annual charity challenge of running a 100km in May 2025. This can be completed independently, or as part of the run clubs full calendar of events to achieve this 100km total. The latter involving all sorts of incentives from Companio pastries to Kickback coffee (those that know me know I am both their biggest cheerleader 🥐☕️). Those competing in the challenge, please donate with YOUR NAME in the hat for a mega list of prizes we’ll give away at the Finisher’s Party. Check out https://www.instagram.com/track_one_foot_forward/?hl=en for more info and updates. See you there!

Our Story:

As a family, we are acutely aware of the impact a brain tumour diagnosis and treatment can have. My brother, Alex, was diagnosed with a rare type of childhood brain tumour called Ependymoma in 2007, at the age of 10. Despite successful surgery and radiotherapy the tumour recurred 14 years later in 2021, and the same treatment was then repeated. All cancer pathways are focused on early diagnosis, facilitating early treatment with the goal of optimising the treatment outcomes. Alex’s initial two cancers were diagnosed relatively late, which is likely related to the rarity of the tumour type. More research into these rare cancers would help identify signs and symptoms, hopefully allowing for earlier diagnosis’ in the future. As such, we believe our chosen charity is best placed to direct our fundraising to the areas which it is needed most.

A bit about our chosen charity:

The Brain Tumour Charity is the world's leading brain tumour charity and the largest dedicated funder of research into brain tumours globally. Committed to saving and improving lives of every single person affected by a brain tumour. They are set on finding new treatments, offering the highest level of support and driving urgent change which we hope will help with rare cancers like Alex’s.

The Challenges:

The fundraising weekend will begin on Friday 21st March with two “Big Chops”. My mother, Catherine, and I will be donating 6-10 years’ worth of hair growth (approximately 24 inches) to the Little Princess Trust. This will be my second hair donation to the trust, which creates wigs using the donated hair for children and young people with cancer. This year is their 20th anniversary.

On the Saturday, I will then run a hybrid trail/road marathon from the family home in Epsom, over the Surrey Hills of Mickleham, Norbury Common, Denbies, Box Hill and back via Headly Heath, Walton-on-the-Hill and the Epsom Downs.

On the Sunday, Alex, Catherine, my sister Laura and I will take on the Hampton Court Palace Half Marathon. As the name suggests, the race begins inside the gates of Hampton Court Palace and proceeds to weave its way through the grounds, finishing in the gardens. This will be Laura’s first official Half Marathon!

The following Monday, we will be holding a cake sale at North Manchester Hospital where I work as a Head & Neck Cancer / Gastro Dietitian, a role I have undoubtedly been driven towards through Alex’s experiences. Any money made will be donated to the Just Giving page following the sale.

Since organising this fundraising weekend, Alex’s tumour has returned for a third time with Chemotherapy commencing Wednesday 29th January. We are now even more determined to reach our goal! Your support would be much appreciated, both via donations and by cheering us along on the days of the challenges.

Thank you in advance – Abigail, on behalf of Catherine, Alex, Laura and Charlie.