In 2024, I was diagnosed with a brain cavernoma, a rare neurological condition which had frightened me at the point of being initially informed of this diagnosis. However, I was fortunately advised that whilst I may be symptomatic with headaches this condition did not threaten my life. Whilst, I was fortunate, some people receiving this or brain cancer diagnosis may not be due to severity and may be forced to fight a hard battle to prolong their lives.

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.

I want to combine my personal goal of completing my first half-marathon and raise a symbolical fundraiser to help fund future brain cancer research, so people who are less fortunate than me could have hope for a breakthrough treatment that could raise their chances winning against the brain cancers and prolonging their precious lives.

Brain Tumour Research is 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.

Please contribute and together with Brain Tumour Research we can support meaningful research to innovate new diagnostic and treatment technology.

Alongside of this fundraiser as a sign of solidarity I will be completely keeping my hair shaved off until I complete my half-marathon run (27th September 2026).