On Sunday 19th April 2026, I’ll be taking on the adidas Manchester Marathon — every mile, every step, every ache, and pain will be for my incredible mum.

In November 2022, my mum was diagnosed with a rare type of brain tumour that started in the pineal gland. At first, it was a huge shock — but we took comfort in knowing it was a benign tumour. She faced major brain surgery, with so much courage, and we were all so proud of her strength and positivity through her lengthy recovery.

But months later, after a follow-up scan, we got the news no family ever wants to hear — another tumour had appeared, and this time it was malignant (cancerous).

Although the main tumour is stable, small new areas of cancer have appeared around the brain lining.

The tumour has changed so much for my mum — her sight has been affected, her confidence has taken a knock, and she battles daily with fatigue and weakness. Yet through it all, she continues her fight with the help of immunotherapy to help slow things down, showing a level of courage and resilience that inspires me every single day.

Life has become harder for my mum. She is already very hard of hearing and losing part of her sight due to effect of the surgery, has made everyday life more challenging than most of us could imagine. But she never gives up.

In October 2025, she suffered a series of seizures that led to two hospital stays. This has resulted in a lot of after care that the whole family is now working on.

So, I’m running this marathon not just as a personal challenge, but as a promise.

A promise to my mum — to keep fighting alongside her.

A promise to other families — that they’re not alone.

And a promise to the future — that we’ll keep pushing until we find a cure for brain tumours.

Every donation, no matter how small, will go directly to Brain Tumour Research, helping fund vital studies that could save lives and give hope to thousands of families like mine.

This isn’t just a run for me.

It’s a run for my mum.

For her bravery, her strength, and her smile — even on the hardest days.

Thank you so much for reading, supporting, and donating.

Together, we can help find a cure.

On Sunday 19th April 2026, thousands of runners will flock to Manchester for the adidas Manchester Marathon. Among them will be a team of #FightingForce heroes running and raising funds in support of Brain Tumour Research.

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

Brain Tumour Research is determined to change this.

We are the only national charity in the UK focused on finding a cure for all types of brain tumours through campaigning to increase the national investment in brain tumour research to £35 million per year, while fundraising to create a network of seven sustainable Brain Tumour Research Centres of Excellence across the UK.