In 2012 after around six months of feeling terrible due to a multitude of symptoms, I had emergency surgery to remove a benign brain tumour with a large cyst (cerrebellar hemangioblastoma). The road to recovery was eventful and tramaumatic, not one I wanted to repeat. I underwent annual testing and in 2022 after my scan we secretly celebrated 10 year tumour free with relief. This was short lived as we got a call shortly after to say I had a new / reoccurring tumour (same as in 2012). Back to watchful waiting, with annual scans again.

Rewind to 2020 I started running, initially to loose some weight, but quickly got so much more from it. Friendships I had never had before, a community that had my back, my tribe and I LOVED it. I clocked up the miles religiously, looking forward to 99% of my plan, the hills, the weather. In 2024 I tackled my first Marathon in Manchester, followed by a further in 2025 and quickly booked to do it all over again in 2026.

In the summer of 2025 I went along to my annual scan with a knowing feeling that something wasn't quite right after having some symptoms from May. I hadn't told anyone. A very large cyst had grown on the tumour, there was pressure on my brain and a shift to my brain's positioning. It all needed to come out.

I wasn't steady on my feet, mostly ran with others to feel safe and lost my speed as I became very tired. I ran up to 3 November 2025, knowing I would have to have a break. My last run was with Christopher on a sunny morning, light breeze and I smiled a lot. I was hoping the physical and mental benefits of running would pay dividend to my recovering.

On 4 November 2025 I had my second surgery which went well, with none of the complications I experienced the first time round. I had Christopher by my side as he was in 2012. But this time I also had the love and support from my friends a lot of who I run with, and twin sister 🧡 I recovered well thankfully, better than expected, with the goal of starting running again in December which I did.

My 2026 Manchester Marathon effort on 19 April will be a little different. I won't be chasing a PB (but who knows what will happen). This time I am doing it because running is a privilege. I want enjoy this one even more, whilst raising money and awareness of brain tumours by running for The Brain 🧠 Tumour Charity.

The Brain Tumour Charity is a leading UK-based organisation dedicated to funding research, raising awareness, and providing support for anyone affected by brain tumors. It is the largest dedicated brain tumor charity in the UK and the world's leading funder of brain tumor research, working to find new treatments and ultimately a cure. 

I am thankful that my tumours have been benign, albeit benign does not mean fine. I have still experienced awful physical symptoms and the impacts emotionally, particularly my confidence. This fantastic charity has given me an online community of support from a group of people with similar experiences.

My aim is to raise £1000:

• £25 could pay for one hour with a specialist nurse, ensuring brain tumour patients have access to the best care possible.

• £100 could enable us to distribute HeadSmart resources to 10 GP surgeries, so they feel empowered to know when to refer a child for a scan.

• £250 could cover a day of research to further the understanding of a particular type of brain tumour and provide more targeted treatments.

• £1,000 could enable a researcher to analyse tumour samples in a clinical trial, helping to make future recommendations for treatment and better diagnosis techniques.

The statistics:

• Brain tumours are the biggest cancer killer of children and adults under 40 in the UK.

• Around 13,000 people are diagnosed each year with a primary brain tumour, including 900 children and young people – that’s 35 people every day

• Over 5,400 people lose their lives to a brain tumour each year

• High-grade brain tumours reduce life expectancy by on average 27 years – the highest of any cancer

• Just 13% of adults survive for five years after a high-grade brain tumour diagnosis