10 years, 10 challenges

Last August, to mark a decade since the death of 26-year-old Stephen Realf, the '10 for Stephen' fundraiser was born - a year-long mammoth mission involving not one but 10 charity challenges.

I couldn't be prouder to announce that seven-year-old Zac will soon complete the family's flagship quest: taking a golden ball to every 24-25 season Premier League football stadium in England in memory of the uncle he tragically never got to meet.

Other challenges now completed by various family members and friends include abseiling down the side of the Spurs stadium, taking on Europe's biggest giant swing, whizzing down England's longest zipline, climbing the 02 in London, and more!

This month marks the 11th anniversary of Steve's death. And brain tumours remain the biggest cancer killer of children and under 40s.

If you'd like to make a donation to support the vital work done by Brain Tumour Research, we would be incredibly grateful.

Many thanks,

Maria, Rob, Zac and family x

Background:

Ten years ago, my brother Stephen Realf died on 18 August 2014, at the age of just 26. He had been diagnosed with an incurable brain tumour at 19 while training to be a pilot in the RAF, the cancer cutting both his career and his life crushingly short. And yet he was one of the ‘lucky’ few: 88% of brain tumour patients won’t survive beyond five years.

There isn’t a day goes by that we don’t miss him. But a lot has happened over the past decade, and he certainly left behind an incredible legacy:

* In 2015-16, our family’s petition in his memory gained over 120,000 signatures, resulting in a Westminster debate and the creation by the Department of Health of a new working group on brain tumour research.

* In early 2018 - following publication of the group’s report - the then government pledged £40 million for brain tumour research over the next five years... though frustratingly only £11.3 million was spent during that period.

* Since 2023, Stephen’s name graces the Wall of Hope at the Institute of Cancer Research, in recognition of his remarkable contribution to the cause.

But there’s much more to be done, and further funding is urgently needed as the search for a cure continues.

So to mark the 10-year anniversary of Stephen’s death, we’re starting a major new fundraising drive: 10 challenges to raise funds in aid of the charity Brain Tumour Research. Between us over the next year, friends and family will take part in a series of events that we like to think Stephen would have approved of… kicking off with me climbing the skywalk over his beloved Tottenham Hotspur Stadium (and nope, I don’t love heights…).

Thank you for helping to fund the fight against brain cancer. Together we will find a cure.