I promised myself I’d have the biggest and best year of my life turning 30 this year. While I had a pretty good go at it, my plans definitely did not include being diagnosed with brain cancer and consequently having to have brain surgery in October. I am doing ok and have never been more grateful for the NHS who continue to employ some of the most talented and kindest people I have ever come across.

Not one to stand still for very long and as I head into what will likely be a brutal 6 weeks of radiotherapy / chemotherapy, I’d like to use my time in treatment to raise a bit of awareness for brain tumours / cancer and also hopefully raise a bit of money at the same time. As some of you may (or may not) know, I sadly lost my sister to brain cancer just over 20 years ago so this is a cause particularly close to my heart.

Currently, brain tumours kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer yet just 1% of the national spend on cancer research has been allocated to the disease since records began in 2002.

I really appreciate any money that you can donate to the cause, it’s such a worthy one! However, even if you’re unable donate any money, please take some time to have a look at the Brain Tumour Research Charity’s website - any additional awareness of the cause would be amazing!