My brother, Alex, and I lost our very precious Dad, Charlie to an aggressive brain tumour 5 years ago. His illness was all consuming, viscious and completely devastated our family.
Charlie’s diagnosis came as a complete shock. He seemed to embody everything you would expect from someone living a healthy lifestyle and taking care of their body. Charlie was fondly nicknamed “Peter Pan”, because even in his 60th year he defied getting older. His huge passions were sport (predominantly football) and hiking. So, when my best friend Emily, who is also coincidentally PR Manager for Brain Tumour Research, told me she was undertaking the Yorkshire Three Peaks challenge with my dad as her inspiration, I was overwhelmed by her thoughtful gesture and had a sudden desire to join fundraising forces with her.
Emily has met so many supporters doing fantastic things to raise money for Brain Tumour Research, she thought it was ‘high’ time she joined them! She was motivated to take on the challenge, having seen the disease rip through my family, but also by the amazing patients and supporters she speaks to everyday, who are affected by this horrible disease. Her husband, Sven, is showing his support by taking on the challenge with us too.
I am so proud to be walking alongside my brother, Alex, too. He encompasses everything that was special about our Dad. Alex’s strength and support throughout Dad’s illness was just incredible. They had a unique bond which definitely made them not just father and son, but best friends too and I know Dad would be bursting with pride at everything Alex has achieved. Alex knows more than anyone how much this hiking tribute would have meant to our dad.
My ever supportive husband, Tom, who was much loved and respected by my Dad, will be hiking beside us too, fundraising through this page as a team; Me, Alex, Emily, Tom and Sven.
Having succumbed to the demands of our 2 small children, Ruby and Charlie (after my dad), Tom and I have both admitted to probably being at our most unfit. However, this challenge has given us new purpose and motivation and we can’t think of a better way of honouring a truly wonderful and inspiring man who is greatly missed daily. For you dad.