I have never classed myself as a runner in my life and here I am preparing myself to run 42.2k... Running the London Marathon has always been a dream of mine and I'm so excited to start this journey.

Last year I lost my dad suddenly to cancer. My dad suffered with lung, kidney and bone cancer, but my dad also had a brain tumour, which is how he found out he had cancer in the first place. Seeing my dad in the worst state is something that will sit with me and my family for the rest of our lives. Near the end of my dads life, he struggled to walk, talk and breath and it was incredibly hard to see him like that, so I have given myself the mission to raise as much money as I can for an amazing charity close to my heart. Anyone that knew my dad would say that he was very competitive and stubborn, so I'm determined to finish the marathon and not let anything get in my way! He would also call me crazy for running the London Marathon 2025 and it breaks my heart knowing my dad won't be there to cheer me over the finishing line, but I know he will be supporting me every step of the way.

Feel free to follow my marathon journey on instagram: beck.ycole

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

I am fundraising for Brain Tumour Research as they are the only national charity dedicated to funding long-term, sustainable research in the UK. Please help me fund the fight. Together we will find a cure.