It's estimated that 55,000 people in the UK are living with a brain tumour every day and 5,300 people lose their lives each year. Brain tumours continue to kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer and reduce life expectancy by, on average, 27 years - the highest of any cancer.

Research into therapies is critically underfunded and receives just 1% of all national spend. At this rate, a cure is likely to remain at least 100 years away.

 In 2014, I lost my friend Liz, to a brain tumour . She was one of the most vibrant, fun-loving people I had ever met and always appeared so much younger than her years. Sadly, within weeks of being diagnosed, she lost her life. Whenever I think of her, I still see her wonderful smile which rarely left her. As my daughter, Bethany and I aim to complete this challenge, my beautiful friend will be very much in my thoughts.