I have decided to fundraise for The Brain Tumour Charity, and I would really appreciate your support. I have secured a charity place for the London Landmarks Half Marathon taking place on 12th April 2026, this will be my first long distance run (wish me luck!). This is all in aid of raising money, raising awareness for the cause, and trying some fitness along the way.

My mum attended the GP persistently for years, however was what it seemed like brushed off with pain killers, ear drops, and ‘there isn’t anything wrong’, until through her perseverance was referred for a scan. The results showed a vestibular schwannoma, which if grew in size was to be operated, unfortunately it grew twice the size. After a 9 hour operation with the incredible Dr Gleeson and his team in Otolaryngology at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, she had lost her hearing in one ear, became paralysed in half of her face and left needing to learn to speak and walk again. BUT my mum is a superstar, through her capabilities she tries to do everything possible, she does more for everyone else than herself. As she is now not able to run (and she LOVED running), I am running the half marathon for her, just to show a glimmer of appreciation in relation of what she does for us all!

To this day I am still taken aback when people question invisible disability.

Unfortunately GPs continue to misdiagnose, with Jess’s Rule only implemented on 23rd September 2025, before I even signed up for this run! Hopefully things will be looking better for achieving diagnosis faster to allow all treatment opportunities.

The Brain Tumour Charity is the world’s leading brain tumour charity and the largest dedicated funder of research into brain tumours globally.

Check out their website for the work they do, support available and the signs and symptoms, adult and children symptoms can differ.

I’m calling all generous donors for sponsorship! This is not just for the cause; there is something in it for you too! I have put together a Festive Box for which donations made by 5th December 2025 will be entered in a raffle.

The box list;

- [ ] Bottle of Moet Champagne, traditional tea collection

- [ ] Mini panettone

- [ ] 3 Ralph Lauren festive kitchen towels

- [ ] Spode Christmas Tree 4 piece mug set

- [ ] Guylian chocolates

- [ ] Honey (thyme honey will walnuts)

- [ ] The present like box

- [ ] AND 2 tickets to Russell Howard’s Don’t Tell The Algorithm show at The London Palladium, Saturday 7th February 2026, 03:30 PM (stalls seats)

Entries are £5 per ticket or £10 per strip.

Please add your name and email address or instagram handle (or anything which I can use to contact you) to the donation, or message me once you’ve donated and I will share your raffle ticket numbers! I will deliver to anyone in and around London, for those further out we might need to do some planning.

Thank you for reading, your support and donations.

Simona