Earlier this year my girlfriend Heather was diagnosed with a vestibular schwannoma, which is a benign, typically slow-growing tumour in the brain. So to raise awareness and money for a cause which is close to my heart I have decided to take on the challenge of the Manchester half!

On Sunday 4th October 2026, over 28,000 runners will take part in one of the UK’s favourite half marathons, the Manchester Half. 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.