I first attempted the Thames Path Challenge in 2016 but unfortunately had to drop out at 78km. This year I'm back and determined to finish it! I will be walking in memory of my school friend Laura Fischer-Beards raising money for the Brain Tumour Charity.

Laura and I met when my family moved to Berkswell in 1987. We went to school together, played on the hockey team and became friends. Laws excelled at everything, especially sports and had time for everyone. She was kind, generous and funny. In later life, she was there to offer encouragement in tough times, laugh with you in the good times and always one of the first to sponsor me whenever I decided to do anything mad (like this!). She was so happy with her husband Mark and three gorgeous boys, Elliot, Henry and Sebi.

Laura was diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2012. She faced it with courage and never gave up fighting or trying to raise money to help others. She even took part in the Wolf Run just months after learning how to walk again following a bleed on the brain during surgery that left her with right side paralysis. In 2014, determined to give herself every chance of spending more time with her beloved family, she flew to Chicago where she underwent six hours of awake brain surgery under local anaesthetic.

Sadly the tumour took hold and Laura died on 8th September 2015, her youngest son Sebi's 5th birthday. She was only 40 years old.

This year the walk falls on the third anniversary of Laura's death. This walk is hard, I'm under no illusions that it's going to be easy but I know that my memories of Laura will get me across that finish line no matter what. Laws was an absolute inspiration, she didn't quit and neither will I.

Please help me to support this amazing charity and raise money to help fund their research into brain tumours, in memory of Laura and for everyone else who is currently going through this. Hopefully one day we will be able to find a cure.

Some facts:

Every day 25 people are diagnosed with a brain tumour - over 9,300 people every year.

Brain tumours are the biggest cancer killer of the under 40's, including children.

Survival rates have not improved over the last 40 years - just 19% of people survive for 5 years or more.

Over £500 million is spent on cancer research in the UK every year, yet less than 2% is spent on brain tumours.

If you'd like to read more of Laura's story there's a wonderful tribute written by her husband Mark that can be found at www.thebraintumourcharity.org/get-involved/supporter-groups/groups/the-laura-fischer-beards-fund/

Thank you!

Miriam x

Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.