Following Gail's diagnosis in May 2024, everyday life changed quickly for her and her family. Hospital appointments became part of the weekly routine, plans were put on hold, and uncertainty became a constant presence. Gail now wants to raise funding and awareness for Brain Tumor research and The Shakespeare Hospice

Gail and Chris are walking 52 kilometres from the Bull to the Baird to help change this picture. They are joined by friends and family who want to see better outcomes for people affected by brain tumours. This walk is about raising funds, but it is also about raising awareness of how little is known and how urgently more research is needed. Positivity has been key and will remain so throughout our journey.

Brain tumours remain one of the least understood and least researched forms of cancer. For many families, diagnosis comes suddenly, often after months of unexplained symptoms, for Gail the symptoms were sudden and without warning. There are fewer treatment options than for many other cancers, and progress has been very slow.

Only a small share of overall cancer research funding goes towards brain tumours, despite the serious outcomes they bring. Survival rates have seen little improvement over decades. For families, this means living with long periods of uncertainty, difficult choices about treatment, and very real fears about the future.

The impact on daily life is immediate. People with brain tumours can face seizures, changes in personality or memory, loss of mobility, and extreme fatigue. Partners may become carers overnight. Parents juggle hospital visits with looking after children. Many families see household income fall as work becomes impossible, while costs rise for travel, care, and adaptations at home. Life plans are often put on hold, sometimes permanently.

Every donation helps the brain tumour charity fund research, provide support to families, and push for earlier diagnosis and better treatments. Gail and Chris are taking on this challenge so that fewer families have to face a brain tumour with so many unanswered questions.