10 years. 10 challenges. £10k

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 £15 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 more to be done. Brain tumours remain the biggest cancer killer of children and under 40s, 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 £10,000 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…).

I won’t reveal all 10 challenges right away - otherwise there’ll be no surprises! But we’ll be posting plenty of photos and updates here, and please also follow us on Instagram @tenforstephen

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