Fifteen months ago, I was diagnosed with Petroclival Meningioma. It is a tumour that sits at the base of the skull and is very close to critical structures such as brain stem, cranial nerves and major blood vessels, making the removal challenging. Only 2% of brain tumours are Petroclival Meningiomas and females are 2-3 times more likely to be diagnosed with it than males.

Fewer than 20% of those diagnosed with a brain tumour survive beyond five years, compared with an average of 50% across other cancers. This statistic is better than it used to be, but brain tumours are still responsible for more years of life lost than any other form of cancer, making it the most lethal form of cancer by this measure.

Brain tumours kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer… yet just 1% of the national spend on cancer research has been allocated to this devastating disease. This is unacceptable!

I am fundraising for Brain Tumour Research as they are the only national charity dedicated to funding long-term, sustainable research in the UK. Please help me fund the fight.

Due to the location of my tumour, it is a miracle I survived the16 hour operation (thanks to the amazing team of surgeons and nurses at Southampton General Hospital), let alone made it through the long and arduous recovery process. Over the past 15 months I have gone from not being able to walk, swallow or taste and suffering from impaired vision, tinititus, chronic fatigue, nausea, severe headaches following the operation to now steeling myself for the Isle of Wight Ultra Challenge in May 2024.

I strongly believe if there was more funding for Brain Tumour research, my tumour may have been caught sooner, making the operation easier and post operation effects may have been less severe. I also believe there is very little support available to Brain Tumour patients post operation. I came across a wonderful community interest company, set up by Sara Crosland called The Beyond Recovery Project. The company creates a safe space and sense of community, where survivors can share experiences and discover how to push beyond the physical and psychological barriers. I hope Brain Tumour Research will share a bit of my fund raising with this organisation as they are an incredibly important aspect to the overall healing process.

My friend Sam and I will be pushing ourselves along the 50KM spectacular southern cliffs, past the iconic Needles and into Cowes. Should I experience no visual disturbances, chronic fatigue, nausea etc and Sam is also fine, we are going to power on the next day for another 56KM through Ventnor, completing an epic 106KM full circuit of the Island journey! This is what we are training for!

Follow us on our training updates on this page and please forward this page to anyone who may be interested in funding. No matter how small or big your donation is, “every little helps”, please help me and others find a cure and post operation support. From the bottom of our hearts, we thank you in advance for your support. Israr and Sam xx