In May 2025 my amazing husband Steven died from glioblastoma, an incurable brain cancer. He became very poorly, very suddenly in December 2023. His terminal diagnosis devasted his family and friends. He took his neurosurgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy in his stride and had a year of making memories before the disease completely took hold in early 2025. His final months were really, really hard for everyone who loved and cared for Steven.

Steven and I both enjoyed running and relied on it for our mental and physical health. Throughout Steven's illness I kept running and it kept me (just about) sane. In the early days our family took part in the 5K Your Way runs at our local Park Run and felt wonderfully supported by fellow runners/walkers affected by all sorts of cancers.

Why The Royal Parks Half Marathon? Well, Steven and I met when we were both living in working in London in 2007. We spent many happy times in its parks. We would take the boys to the Princess Diana Memorial Playground in Hyde Park, went to see Counting Crows play there and loved walking through all of them.

Why The Brain Tumour Charity? As soon as Steven was diagnosed we relied on their resources to guide us through the situation. In June 2024 we had a wonderful day at Paignton Zoo fully funded and organised by the charity, where we met other families affected by brain tumours. See the photos in the gallery of that special trip. We also had a lovely wedding anniversary meal out in Paignton which kind friends paid for!

The charity is also the reason that I got to meet Louise and her daughter Ella. We met via their Carer's Facebook Group and discovered that Louise lives 2 mins walk from M's cheerleading academy. We decided to join forces and set ourselves a positive challenge, after walking together through very dark and difficult days.

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.