Last year I shared my brain tumour story and was overwhelmed by the generosity and support as I ran the 2024 Paris Marathon.

After a brutal 26.2 miles I thought the trainers were hung up for good...However, 5 months ago I had a successful follow-up MRI scan and 15 years since my brain operation, I was discharged from the post surgery programme, meaning I am officially all clear! So what better way to celebrate than by running the 2025 London Marathon in support of the Brain Tumour Research charity.

Please read my story below.

In 2004, I first started feeling the effects of something that would take years to diagnose. Symptoms included migraines and even the odd seizure - once before a football game and another at high school.

Years of medical uncertainty followed as even the specialists couldn’t work out what was wrong. Medication was prescribed, to limited success, before it took 5-years to finally be offered an MRI scan.

This successfully led to a brain tumour the size of a thumbnail being identified. And whilst this might sound, and very much was, extreme, for me it was actually a relief. It finally identified a problem and therefore offered a potential solution to something that had literally been in the back of my mind for over 5-years.

Thankfully, after a successful 5-hour brain surgery, and now nearly 15-years later, it offered exactly that. A problem that I was fortunate enough to have resolved with little to no side effects today - mainly this scar (and a metal plate) that normally sits under a thick head of hair!

In summary, if I had been offered an MRI scan in 2004 when I first started feeling symptoms, it would have saved a lot of time, money, resource, tears, stress, anxiety and so much more. Not just for me, but my family and friends too. And whilst I consider myself extremely lucky in comparison to other brain tumour experiences, no one should go through that when it can be easily avoided.

So, to help with accurate, early diagnosis for similar issues, I’m pleased to be running the 2025 London Marathon for the Brain Tumour Research Charity.

I would be extremely grateful for any donations to a charity close to my heart.

Thank you.