I'll talk about and have an opinion on absolutely anything, but this is something that I've never really spoken about...

My dad died in August 1992 after a very tough battle with a brain tumour, leaving behind my mum to bring up my brother, Stephen, aged 6, and me, aged 4, on her own.

He was only 39.

As I've approached the age where he was diagnosed with his illness, it has been weighing more and more heavily on my mind and I often find myself wondering what was going through his mind when he saw his young family and had to confront the reality of leaving it all behind. It's been particularly poignant recently, seeing my nephew pass the age I was when we lost my dad, and a profound sadness that my dad isn't there to see the amazing dad that my brother has become or that his kids will never know their grandfather.

So... to help work towards stopping anything like this from happening to another young family, and in direct opposition to my physio's advice, I'm doing the only two things I truly excel at: making bad decisions and pushing through injuries.

As part of a fundraising year, I've signed up to the following events:

FINAL LIST!

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Callander 10k - Sun 16th March - COMPLETE

Kilomathon 13.1km - Sun 6th April - COMPLETE

Hidden Glen 10k - Sun 27th April - COMPLETE

Thornhill 10k - Sun 11th May - COMPLETE

EMF 10k - Sat 24th May - COMPLETE

FyneFest 5k - Sat 31st May - COMPLETE

Mhor 84 10k - Sun 8th June - COMPLETE

172 mile Charity Cycle - Ayr > Hawick > Edinburgh - Thursday 7th August - COMPLETE

Killin 10k - Sat 23rd August - COMPLETE

Antrim Coast Half Marathon - Sun 24th August - COMPLETE

Great North Run Half Marathon - Sun 7th September - COMPLETE

Coast to Coast Rat Race - Saturday 13th September

Irish Life Dublin Half Marathon - Sunday 21st September

Cardiff Half Marathon - Sun 5th October

Royal Parks Half Marathon - Sun 12th October

Dramathon Full Marathon - Sat 18th October

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Firstly, thank you for taking the time to read this, and whatever you can spare in support - even if that is just words of encouragement - will be wholeheartedly appreciated, not just by myself but also by the charity and those who your money will go on to help. It's a huge amount that I'm looking to raise, but I'm confident that I can hit it.

Lastly, please feel free to follow me on Strava or Instagram (david.r.waters) to keep up-to-date with my training or lack thereof, and if you want to join me on any of the race days or a training run I'd love the company and the support.

Thank you!

David x

About the 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, we're moving further, faster to help every single person affected by a brain tumour.

We're set on finding new treatments, offering the highest level of support and driving urgent change. And we're doing it right now. Because we understand that when you, or someone you love, is diagnosed with a brain tumour a cure really can't wait.