Glioblastoma is a fast-growing and aggressive brain tumour. The average life expectancy after diagnosis is 14 to 16 months.

My best friend, Dom, died of the disease earlier this year. He is survived by his incredible wife and two young teenage children. At 47, he is gone far too soon.

I’ve known Dom for nearly 35 years, having met at school when we were both 13. We were so close that he was my best man (twice…!) and I am godfather to his daughter.

I think we clicked so well because we shared a love of cars, bad jokes, playing sport (at which we were well matched and very competitive - equally good and equally bad, depending on the day and the ball sport in question), looking at the sunnier side of life, and people.

Dom was a wonderfully warm, positive, character. The centre of most conversations in a group setting because he was so kind, engaging and funny. Quick to smile and always interested in what was going on in peoples’ lives. Extremely hard working, he had the integrity to always do what was right, but the sense of fun to create enjoyable mischief along the way. To be in his presence was to be happy. To be his friend was to be cared for.

We ran the Tunbridge Wells half-marathon together on more than one occasion over the years. On his passing, it struck me that the best way to pay tribute to him, his extraordinary life and those who are focused on finding a cure would be to run another half-marathon in his memory, for a charity focused on finding a cure for glioblastoma.

In true Dom spirit, I’m not doing that alone. I am running the Royal Parks Half Marathon on 8 October 2023 (the week of what would have been his 48th birthday) with several of our school friends and my wife, Renae.

It would mean a lot to us if you’d consider donating, however little, to The Brain Tumour Charity through this link.