This June, My Dad (Andrew) and I are hoping to raise some money for Brainstorm – a brain tumour charity. Our challenge is to take on the Cornish Coastal Path from Padstow to Penzance - that’s roughly 106.5 miles in 5 days.

We were introduced to Brainstorm by Polly, my cousin, who is quite frankly one of the best people I know. In 2016 she was diagnosed with a grade 2 oligodendroglioma. She was 19. Two months after her diagnosis, she had it successfully removed during awake surgery. In January 2019 a routine scan showed the tumour had started to grow again, but fortunately it was slow growing. Polly had her second awake surgery in January 2023 with the only lasting impact being minor damage to her left peripheral vision. By July there were already signs of the tumour returning and Polly had her first seizure in August. Since then, she’s had 6 weeks of radiotherapy and has now just started 6 cycles of PCV chemotherapy. Brainstorm was set up by her consultant – who has now operated on her 3 times – and funds research into both cancerous and non-cancerous tumours.

So, we’re going to do be doing our very best with this trek. We aim to get it done in 5 days meaning an average of 21 miles a day. Neither my Dad or I are what you would consider at peak physical fitness (he’s coming back from knee surgery, I have no excuse). We’re aware of what a huge undertaking this is but it’s all going to be for a great cause.

We would be very appreciative of any and all donations.