Inspired by the marathons I have run this year, I am taking on a new challenge, a triathlon! I will be competing in the Brighton & Hove Triathlon with two friends (Theo Jessel and Andy Dodds) who will carry the swimming and cycling parts!

We are raising money for the Brain Tumour Charity to fund vital research into brain cancer and tumours. My brother in law died from brain cancer at the end of January, aged just 23 after a gruelling battle in ICU at Charing Cross hospital for 6 months.

Here are some terrifying facts about brain tumours:

(1) Brain tumours kill more children and adults under 40 than any other cancer.

(2) Brain tumours reduce life expectancy by 27 years on average – the highest of any cancer.

(3) Only 13% of teens and adults survive for 5 years after a brain cancer diagnosis.

(4) But despite these awful statistics, brain tumour research represents only 3% of the national spend on cancer and there here has been only 1 new treatment developed over the last 20 years.