I am running the Manchester Marathon 2025 for The Brain Tumour Charity - the world's leading brain tumour charity and the largest dedicated funder of research into brain tumours globally.

In summer 2022, the year-and-a-half-old child of one of my best friends was diagnosed with an inoperable pilocytic astrocytoma of the brainstem. After a partial resection and 1.5 years of chemotherapy sessions his condition is currently stable and he can have as normal a childhood as possible, but the tumour will always be there. I have seen firsthand how painful and difficult it is living with a family member with a brain tumour and how unfair and indiscriminate brain tumours are in affecting ones so young.

The Brain Tumour Charity are driving change through research to find new treatments and offering support to combat the biggest cancer killer of under 40s. It is estimated that over 88,000 people are currently living with one in the UK.

Research offers the only real hope of dramatic improvements in the management and treatment of brain tumours. Over £700m is spent on cancer research in the UK every year, yet less than 3% is spent on brain tumours.

Any donation you can make will be greatly appreciated. Your donation will support researchers in tackling brain tumours and let those affected live longer and better lives.