In 2015 I was diagnosed with a Brain Tumour (Acoustic Neuroma) which was the size of a golf ball, and would change my life forever.

I underwent immediate surgery six weeks after the diagnosis. The tumour was removed successfully, but as with any surgery nothing is guaranteed. Despite a successful operation I was left profoundly deaf in my right ear and needed to relearn how to balance and walk properly again.

Fortunately, my recovery was nothing short of remarkable. Much of this was down to the expert skull based team at Salford Royal and the amazing charity I am raising money for: The Skull Base Foundation.

When I was diagnosed with the tumour I was just 6 weeks away from taking part in the Frankfurt Ironman and so after my surgery in hospital I promised to myself that no matter what it took, no matter how long it took, I would get back that level of fitness again.

Although surgical outcomes continue to improve, many patients don’t get the results like me. Some people are left, unfortunately, with facial palsy, chronic pain and headaches, depression, fatigue, mobility, balance issues and often patients struggle to come to terms with their hearing loss.

I have been raising money now for over five years and every year I raise money to help patients struggling with life after Acoustic Neuroma surgery.

On the 16th of June I will complete an Ironman Distance Triathlon in Nice, France. The long distance endurance event comprises of a 2 mile swim, a 112 mile bike ride, followed by a marathon to finish.

The event is the widely recognised as the hardest Ironman event of the year due to the 8000ft of climbing on the bike a kin to a stage of the Tour De France...followed by the marathon.

Please join me to support my fundraising challenge for the Skull Base Foundation to help those with brain injuries on their own path to recovery.

To help please make a donation no matter how small or large for this incredibly worthy charity.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.