I am running the 2022 Royal Parks Half Marathon in aid of The National Brain Appeal. 

The National Brain Appeal raises funds to advance treatment and research at The National Hospital for Neurology & Neurosurgery and the UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology together known as Queen Square. Your donation will help The National Brain Appeal to improve the outcome and quality of life for the one in six people affected by a neurological condition.

In 2014 my mum, Pamela Marica Mcleod, passed away from a brain tumour. She was 54 years old. Mum battled breast cancer initially and was given the all clear only to start suffering with headaches and to then be diagnosed with a brain tumour at Christmas. From the start her diagnosis was terminal. She was sent to London to receive brain surgery at Queens Square where she was operated on in the New Year. Without that surgery her prognosis was 3 months. The surgery and treatment she received from Queens Square mixed with her fighting spirit gave us another year with her.

Just days after brain surgery Mum forced herself out of bed and took a walk down the ward. Small steps to the rest of the world but a mountain for her! 

As many of you will know I am not the most naturally active person (always the lift over taking the stairs) but I decided to use the same fight Mum did and challenge myself to do this half marathon on behalf of the hospital that allowed her spirit to continue that little bit longer, all those people and their families touched by a neurological diagnosis and of course for Mum!

I just want to say a big THANK YOU for all of your donations! I would shout it from the rooftops but I definitely need to reserve all oxygen for the run!