This April, I am tackling the London Marathon to raise vital funds for Brain Tumour Research, a cause very close to my heart.

On the 6th of January 2023, my Dad (Scott) was diagnosed with a Stage 3 Oligodendroglioma. The following months were spent with his life in the hands of the incredible doctors at Kings College Hospital where he underwent 3 major surgeries to reduce the size of the tennis ball sized tumour on his brain. This was not only a terrifying experience for Dad, but also myself, my three younger siblings, my mum and other close family- something we feel no one should have to go through. Despite these surgeries being successful, the journey didn't end there for dad who then faced a gruelling 6 weeks of radiotherapy and 15 months of chemotherapy.

On the 4th of December 2024, the tumour was deemed stable and Dad was able to ring the bell, marking the end of his treatment- a fantastic day for us all. However, in the following weeks he was diagnosed with skin cancer, undergoing surgery to remove the growth and was hospitalised over Christmas Day by an infection due to his immune system being so low from the chemotherapy- at this point you're thinking when will this man catch a break!

Fortunately, for over a year now, I can say Dad's tumour has remained stable and he will continue to be assessed through regular scans, but he still lives with the consequences of this horrible disease on a daily basis- over 3 years from diagnosis. He is yet to be able to return to work as his brain and body recovers from the damage of the tumour and the unfortunate side-effects of his extensive treatment.

Due to the nature of the tumour, having grown from his brain, there is no cure and all of the treatment currently available is only capable of stabilising the tumour- so unfortunately one day, there is a good chance the tumour will grow once again. Which is why I am raising funds for Brain Tumour Research! So one day they can reach a cure for this disease which has taken so much from my incredible dad and put my family and so many others out there through so much pain.

Dad was just 45 and otherwise healthy when diagnosed but in a matter of days we went from celebrating a normal Christmas together as a family to not knowing if we were going to be able to speak to our Dad again. I grew up very close to Dad, who has been a great role model to us all; hard-working, selfless and loving- I would be happy to be half the man he is. With that in mind, and this illness giving him the biggest challenge of his life, I've decided to take on this marathon, which will probably be the biggest challenge I'm yet to face in my life!

Brain tumours receive just 1% of the national spend on cancer research and I'm determined to help change this, but I need your help! Any donation, no matter the size, is one step closer to a cure.

Thank you all so much,

H