Hi everyone,

My name is Kim, and I will be running the London Marathon 2027 in support of the Brain Tumour Charity. My brother Jordan will also be running the Manchester Marathon the week before! Here is our why.

In April 2025, our dad Ken (or Papa to me) was diagnosed with an incurable brain tumour called glioblastoma, which has an average life expectancy of 12-18 months. Ken underwent brain surgery, followed by 3 weeks of intensive radiotherapy and 6 months of chemotherapy. His main symptom was impaired speech. Before surgery his words made no sense, I was terrified he’d never be able to talk properly again. Although his speech never went back to normal, he did make improvements and was able to say our names and other words again. Trying to live a normal life when someone can no longer talk properly is something the average person will never understand, I don’t know how we managed. But we did, we adjusted to this new version of Ken and even managed to have some laughs along the way (you can imagine how hilarious it was when he would manage to say a joke clearly!)

I speak on behalf of my whole family when I say living with the knowledge that someone you love is going to deteriorate is nothing short of soul destroying. He is the most loving, funny, and caring Dad and Husband we could ever of wished for. I would be here all day if I had to write the ins and outs of the hardships we have been through, the tears, the sadness, the knowing that this all has to come to an end. I try to hang onto all of the happy memories we have made during this time, like us all being able to attend my graduation, but the simple fact of the matter is that we are completely heartbroken.

Very shortly after Ken was diagnosed, London Marathon was on the TV. I said ‘Papa, I’m gonna run that one day’ and he laughed as if to say ‘yeah right!’ From that moment onwards I knew I was going to do it. And here I am… I’m beyond grateful to have been offered a place to run the London Marathon for The Brain Tumour Charity, which is the world’s leading brain tumour charity and the largest dedicated funder of research into brain tumours globally. I was able to tell him I had been chosen for London Marathon and he was so happy for me, even knowing he won’t be here to watch.

We are hoping to collectively raise £3000 (which is minimum sponsorship for London Marathon) to ensure that one day, families won’t have to go through what we have been through. Any donations will mean the absolute world to us all.

This is for you Papa Bear, we love you all the world❤️