In memory of our Dad, Glenn – raising money for Brain Tumour Research.

Earlier this year, our family’s world was turned completely upside down when my Dad, Glenn, was diagnosed out of the blue with a Grade 4 glioblastoma brain tumour.

There were no warning signs and nothing that could have prepared us. One minute life was completely normal, and the next we were thrown into a world of brain scans, biopsies, radiotherapy, hospital stays and conversations no family ever expects to have.

Glioblastoma is an incredibly aggressive and cruel cancer. We watched a fit, strong, funny, fiercely independent man have so much taken away from him in such a short space of time.

Dad fought unbelievably hard, but just over four months after his diagnosis, we lost him.

Nothing prepares you for watching someone you love go through that. The helplessness of knowing there is so little you can do is something I don’t think any of us will ever forget.

And that’s why raising money for brain tumour research has become so incredibly important to us.

There has to be more research. There have to be better treatments. There has to be more hope for the next person who receives this diagnosis and for the family standing beside them.

No family should have to go through what we did.

So, in Dad’s memory, we want to help fund the research that could one day change the outcome for another family.

We’re starting as we mean to go on — with a bloody good party.

We’re holding a huge Celebration of Life for Dad, exactly as he would have wanted it: a beautiful barn overlooking the Camel Estuary, a big band, singing, dancing, plenty of drinks and a room full of the people whose lives he touched.

Dad was the life and soul wherever he went, so there was never going to be any other way to celebrate him.

All proceeds from the bar will be donated to Brain Tumour Research, and we’ll also be holding a live auction on the night.

For anyone who would like to do something in Dad’s memory, we’re asking for donations rather than flowers.

We couldn’t save Dad. That’s the part that will always hurt.

But if we can take everything our family has been through and use it to help fund the research that might give another Dad, Mum, husband, wife, son, daughter or friend more time or one day even a different outcome then something positive can come from something that has broken our hearts.

Dad left an enormous hole in our family and in the lives of so many people who loved him.

So we’ll dance, sing, raise a glass to him and hopefully raise a huge amount of money in his name.

For Glenn. And for every family who deserves more time.

**One in three people in the UK knows someone affected by a brain tumour. This disease is indiscriminate; it can affect anyone at any age. Brain tumours kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer yet funding to improve outcomes for patients remains critically low.

Brain Tumour Research is determined to change this. It is the only national charity focused on finding a cure for all types of brain tumours. Help fund the fight. Together we will find a cure.**