When I was 17 I was diagnosed with a brain tumour and had surgery within a week to remove what turned out to be a grade 1 Pilocytic Astrocytoma. 

Before I knew the type of tumour I had, I was advised I might need further treatment such as chemo or radiotherapy if the surgery did not remove all the tumour. 

I was already trying to come to terms with my diagnosis, and hearing all these words filled me with total fear; the terrifying prospect of treatments like these made this the scariest moment of my life, because when you think of chemo and radiotherapy, you think of cancer. 

Despite having my tumour removed and not needing chemo or radiotherapy, I couldn't help but think about how tough it would have been to have had such a serious operation, only for that to be the beginning of my treatment. 

My family and I are walking for the Brain Tumour Charity, not only because they are working towards a cure for this devastating disease, but also because they are funding and providing life changing support for people who have had or are living with a brain tumour and helping their families cope at the darkest of times.