Me and my friend Louise are taking on a challenge to run the Regent’s Park London 5K this year to support and raise awareness for Brain Tumour Research. We are running in memory of my late husband Neil, on the 28th of June 2025, the day after what would have been Neil’s 42nd birthday.

Neil was diagnosed with an astrocytoma brain tumour in 2012 after collapsing and having an epileptic seizure. Neil underwent awake craniotomy surgery to remove the tumour in 2014. A routine MRI in 2018 then picked up activity growing in his brain and Neil’s treatment plan was six weeks of radiotherapy and chemotherapy for a year.

5 years later everything was looking positive and we were both excited about turning 40 together later that year. In 2023 we were hit with the devastating news that the tumour was back and so aggressive this time around that chemotherapy was the only option for treatment.

He rapidly declined as the tumour affected his brain function, leading to confusion and difficulty speaking. As the tumour progressed the seizures became more frequent and severe.

Neil sadly lost his fight on the 20th of July 2024 at St Joseph’s Hospice in Hackney surrounded by his family, just 10 weeks after we got married.

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.

So far, we have raised £2,093.76 in Neil's memory for the Brain Tumour Research. My goal is to carry on raising awareness as I don’t believe brain tumours are as rare as the statistics say. I was personally diagnosed in 2022 with a benign colloid brain cyst.

My amazing friend Louise has volunteered to take on this challenge with me (we both hate running) and we truly appreciate any support you can offer - together we will find a cure!

More information about the charity Brain Tumour Research can be found at:

braintumourresearch.org

Thank you, Charlie and Louise xx