In February 2018 my good friends Sally and Mark received the horrifying diagnosis that their daughter Lizzie, aged just 9, had an inoperable brain tumour called DIPG.   DIPG affects only around 30 children in the UK each year, with an average life of expectancy from diagnosis of only 9 months.  Lizzie died in their arms in November 2018, a week before her 10th birthday.  

In 1962 the daughter of astronaut Neil Armstrong died from this same type of tumour; it is shocking and heartbreaking that more than 50 years later there is still no effective treatment. 

Lizzie participated in a clinical trial part funded by The Brain Tumour Charity, so she understood first-hand the importance of research.  Lizzie decided she wanted to set up Lizzie's Fund to further the research funding available into childhood brain tumours.  Research into brain tumours is shockingly underfunded in comparison to many other cancers, historically less than 2% of UK cancer research spend, so as a result survival is also amongst the worst of all cancers - yet it is the LARGEST cancer killer of children and young adults under 40.

I am taking part in the Thames Path 50 kilometre (approx. 31 miles) endurance walk on September 8th in Lizzie’s memory.  I love walking, but have never attempted a walk of this distance in a single day, so it’ll be a busy summer of training but all in a great cause. 

Thank you so much for supporting my efforts to honour Lizzie's amazing courage.  

More details about Lizzie's story is available on www.lizziesfund.co.uk 

The Brain Tumour Charity is at the forefront of the fight to defeat brain tumours, making a difference every day to the lives of people with a brain tumour and their families. We fund pioneering research to increase survival, raise awareness of the symptoms and effects of brain tumours and provide support for everyone affected to improve quality of life. We are committed to having the biggest possible impact for every person affected by a brain tumour, and to defending the most amazing part of the human body.