August 2024 marks 5 years since I lost my wonderful Daddy Father to a brain tumour. My Dad was so much more than a Dad to me, he was my no.1 fan, musical watching partner, America travel buddy, curry house companion, personal accent coach/line reader and I will never be the same person I was before he passed. I have lost a part of me and I will never quite come to terms with that.

In 5 years my Dad has already missed out on so much: watching me graduate, landing my first full time job and new roles/promotions since, getting engaged and most recently he should have been walking me down the aisle at my wedding. No one should have to lose a parent at 20 years old, my little brother was just 17.

Just this week, I found out that a close family friend has also been diagnosed with a high grade brain tumour, something so rare I thought I would never have to hear those words again, yet they continue to strike. I will be taking on something that terrifies me in the hope that I can raise money towards lifesaving research and support services in the hope that one day no one has to lose someone to this deadly disease.

Brain Tumours are the biggest cancer killer of children and adults under 40. Over £700m is spent on cancer research in the UK every year, yet less than 3% is spent on brain tumours. This needs to change.