My name is Lowri, I'm 30 years old and I will be running the London marathon 2026 in memory of my wonderful Dad Peter and raising money for The brain tumour charity.

At the beginning of October 2023 my Dad was diagnosed with Glioblastoma, the most aggressive and common type of cancer that originates in the brain, and has a very poor prognosis for survival.

Dad was incredibly fit and strong 64 year old at the time so this was a huge shock to my family and I.

He underwent major brain surgery at Cardiff Heath hospital to remove the initial tumour at the end of October 2023. Although there was never going to be a cure, this surgery bought Dad time. He was incredibly determined and managed to recover well enough to be able to come home to us for Christmas. That festive period was one of the most special and memorable times for us as a family. Christmas was Dads favourite time of year and not even the intense chemo and radiotherapy got in the way of his usual traditions and making sure our family had the most magical time together.

Dad continued his treatment throughout the beginning of 2024 until a scan confirmed in May that a new tumour had formed in his brain and that he would no longer benefit from the chemo and radiotherapy.

During Dads ordeal, my Mum Helen had also been diagnosed with breast cancer. Having both parents so poorly at the same time was a more unbelievable and the only way I can describe it is a surreal living nightmare. Through Mum and Dads cancer battle, my fiancé Lawrence and I were planning our wedding, unsure of what the day was going to look like amid such a heartbreaking and helpless time.

On 1st June 2024 my resilient, determined and brave Dad walked me down the aisle on our wedding day with his head held so high and proud. A moment that I will cherish for the rest of my life. I will be forever grateful for the strength he conjured up to walk with me hand in hand, despite how poorly he was. He even managed to do his speech and smiled throughout every part of our special day, he loved every minute. 

After reaching his goal of our wedding and no more treatment, Dad began to deteriorate. Despite this, he lived every single day to the full and pushed himself to walk miles on end enjoying the beach, the fields and the fresh air with his best pal, Ned the dog and us, his loving family.

Dad was a Welsh international rugby player and British Lion in the 1980s. Something we are endlessly proud of. No matter what was ever thrown in dad’s way he did nothing but show the most determination a human being could possibly give. He had this attitude through his entire life and that led him to all his successes. We are in awe of the constant fight he put up despite the inevitably of his diagnosis and the fact not one day passed where he questioned why this had happened to him.

Of all Dads incredible life achievements, his family was his biggest one of all. Husband to our Mum, Helen, Dad to my sister Nia and I, Grandpa to Nia’s children Seren and Dewi, and father in law to our husbands David and Lawrence. We all, along with our extended family circle, cared and nursed Dad at home through his illness. This was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do, but I would do it all again for him in a heart beat.

On 27th July 2024 our lion passed away peacefully at home surrounded by us all. Our world has been turned upside down within the space of 10 months and a huge hole has been left in our lives that will never be filled. I sit here writing the events of the past year in utter disbelief and sadness. There are no words to describe the grief of loosing someone you love so dearly. I still can’t comprehend that I will never see my lovely Dad again and that this is how life is going to be now.

Mum is now thankfully cancer free.

Despite being so poorly, Mum was Dads key carer and looked after him with so much strength, love and selflessness.

I have felt so helpless and finding ways to connect with Dad is so important to me. Dad loved that I ran and before he passed he insisted buying me my first pair of Hoka running trainers after I told him I’d be running the Cardiff half marathon later that year. He knew he wouldn’t be here to see me complete it but I like to think that those trainers were a piece of him to have with me during my training and on the day.

Dad’s love of life, unbelievable resilience and giving nature to others has inspired me to run not just for him but for a charity that is committed to saving and improving lives, moving further and faster to help every single person affected by a brain tumour. They are set on finding new treatments, offering the highest level of support and driving urgent change. As a research-led charity, they aim to find cures for all brain tumours so that no one’s life expectancy is dictated by their tumour.

If the money I raise can help even just one person affected by a brain tumour and their family, then I would be so happy. Knowing just how painful and devastating it was for Dad and our family, I just want to do something to help other people in the same scenario as us.

I would be so grateful that if you knew my wonderful Dad, know my family and I, know anyone who’s suffering with cancer or resonate with our story in anyway, please sponsor my run and put money towards a charity that could benefit you or someone you know in your lifetime. Any donation will be so appreciated.

If you’re still here, Thankyou for reading.

Lowri x