Thank you for visiting my JustGiving page for The Brain Tumour Charity. Since 2014 I've been making The Horse and Groom a Pub against Brain Tumours. With events at the pub and my own personal fundraising challenges.

After running 10 miles daily in 2024 I've just completed the 2025 London Marathon in April 🏅 I was the one with a limp in a cape. You might of spotted me on Gabby Logan Reasons to run programe , & again on Marathon day including my live interview with Abby Cook at The Cutty Sark. The London Marathon had to be one of my most amazing experiences . It didn't go as I had planned in my head . I started well, and ahead of my pace of where I wanted it to be. Reaching half way my spine and legs just started to cause me the most excruciating unbearable pain and at around 17 miles spinal & toric seizures started which literally just stopped me from being able to move several times during the Marathon. I knew my health conditions had worsened, and I was advised by my specialist only 3 weeks before the marathon it was a bad idea, and I recall he actually laughed when I told him, probably as I struggled to even walk into his office But it wasnt about me neither was it for me Plus Im Nota-Quitter. I wasn't in it for a fast time I was there for a fun time although the pain didn't make it much fun from mile 17. Even with that happening I totally recommend it to anyone who wants to support a charity to enter the ballot. Before you ask, Yes I entered the 2026 ballot. The Brain Tumour Charity community were so supportive and it was a privilege to meet so many of them during the London Marathon.

Reaching 50 this was my first Marathon. I had not even done a officiall half marathon or even a park run. I actually only started running in 2022 . Anything is possible at any age with even challenging health issues.

Thankyou to everyone who donated or sponsored my legs against Brain Tumours . Ive listened to so many heartbreaking stories and feel privileged that so many were shared with me.

My Why

I started 2024 with running 10 MILES FOR 100 CONSECUTIVE DAYS .This was in memory of my Dad who passed from a glioblastoma multiforme Brain Tumour in 2014. I completed 100 days on the 9th of April but decided not to stop. So I announced I would keep RUNNING a crazy 10 miles daily for The rest of the year.🥳 On 22nd November The Brain Tumour Charity offered me a place in The London Marathon 2025 so of course I said YES. 2025 marks 5 years since my best friend Hazel lost her Brain Tumour battle so it's the perfect year for me to give it ago. Im in it for a fun time not a fast time 🐌

🩶 A cure can't wait 🩶

In memory of my Dad Jim, my best Friend Hazel, my Granddad James and my cousin Andrew.

At least 34 people are diagnosed every day with a brain tumour in the UK, which has the lowest survival rate of all cancers. Misdiagnosis is very common. My dad had several misdiagnosis. Eight months in a Neuro-Rehab Unit with the wrong diagnosis of encephalitis. This meant that when a biopsy finally took place and a glioblastoma was diagnosed, it was too late for any treatment or any operation. He literally went from being himself to having multiple seizures and never being himself again. The hardest part of him becoming ill, was him not recognising me anymore💔

My best friend Hazel first brain tumour was found when she was just 25 . It was on my 25th Birthday and the day my daughter was due that I had the call that she was going into surgery to remove a brain tumour . Hazel's fight was long and hard, she was never able to live the full life she longed for but she lived a happy live full of love. Sadly in 2020 when she was just 44 her fight ended.

My Granddads brain tumour was a complete surprise and only found after he collapsed, he sadly passed soon after.

My cousin Andrew. He was born with a Brain Tumour, and given a poor prognosis. But even with a hard life full of operations and treatment he was so full of life. Sadly he passed at the young age of 14.

Brain tumours are the biggest cancer killer of children and adults under 40. Over £700m is spent on cancer research in the UK yearly yet less than 3% is spent on brain tumours. Brain Tumours can actually be heredity, but unlike other cancers having a family history of Brain Tumours does not speed up getting fast track appointments needed for those early diagnosis. With brain lesions myself fundraising for research is personally very important.

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My personal health challenge.

I was born with curvature of the spine, which didnt cause me any difficulties until my late teens. Then diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis and Psoriatic Arthritis at 22, daily life became more challenging each year. Specialists told me at the time I would be in a wheelchair by the age of 40. I've had two spinal operations and I was taking a lot of prescribed medicines including opioids for the pain which I believe caused me to have two TIA ( mini strokes). So I decided to ditch prescription Opioids and try exercise as my pain relief. Although I do still have my weekly injections and a bucket full of daily medication, exercise is definitely not only a healthier option but one that actually works better for my pain. Add on Osteoarthritis, Trochanteric Bursitis, Fibromyalgia, nerve tremours, daily migraines and regular blackouts. Living with daily chronic pain is hard, but I think of those that have it far worse, Im blessed compared to others. Being able to move is a privilege. I hope I can encourage others that you can achieve what you think is your impossible. We all have personal battles, just learn to move with them.🙏

Thank you for reading and if you're able please donate and support my legs 🤗 or just share my page 🙏 Love & hugs to you all 😘

Because of my health im also raising awareness for Nass_exercise. They can help you to get back moving and to keep your independence.