The 3 BANAmigos (Greig, Adam & Rich) are raising money for the British Acoustic Neuroma Association (BANA).

We're aiming to run many races and fundraisers in the process this year en route to our trip Benidorm in November to run the 10k!

This was Benidorm in 2024 - we had such a good time and we are looking forward to returning again in November 2025 to hopefully celebrate a fantastic year of running and raising money!

Before then Greig & Adam are running the Brighton Marathon, before separately attempting the London & Manchester marathons. Hopefully, getting out there and running some miles can help raise money for BANA.

BANA is a charity which assists and supports people and their support networks who have been diagnosed as having or have been treated for an Acoustic Neuroma (Vestibular Schwannoma- a type of benign brain tumour), along with other related conditions. They also promote and support innovative medical research likely to lead to the prevention and early detection and successful treatment of an Acoustic Neuroma along with procedures assisting in the rehabilitation and quality of life of people affected.

Message from Greig:

I was diagnosed in 2019 with a benign brain tumour (an acoustic neuroma) following spells of dizziness, severe fatigue and balance issues in 2018. The MRI scan showed that I had a tumour in the canal between the left ear and my brain and it has been steadily growing about 1mm each year.

In my most recent scan in February 2025 it showed another millimetre of growth and I will have a follow up meeting in May 2025. In the last 6 years I have really benefited from the support from BANA through attending support group meetings, getting to know other people who have this rare type of tumour and seeing my Skull Base Clinical Nurse specialist at these sessions. By raising the awareness of this type of tumour and supporting medical research into them then hopefully this will lead to improved treatment methods and earlier detection. At the moment I can still hear in my left ear but the likelihood is that I will lose my hearing regardless of treatment. There is also no guarantee that other symptoms such as tinnitus will improve.

Attending the support sessions and keeping in contact with others with an acoustic neuroma I have been able to manage better the symptoms of the tumour so that I am not as fatigued due to know what the triggers are. A lot of people are sceptical about the impact of a hidden disability due to me being smiley and it ultimately has meant that I had to leave my employment to focus on my own health and not surround myself with negativity when I'm just trying to make the best out of the situation. One of the things that many of us with acoustic neuromas find is running actually helps and even better is that we can help to raise awareness and money for charity.

In 2018 I was running my best times but the severe fatigue sent me downhill. I was very depressed and felt isolated, struggling to know what was happening. Once it had been established what was causing the issues, I reduced my hours at work and joined the Dragons Running Club; my life really started to improve and pick back up again. In 2024 I surprised myself by being able to beat my personal best times at 10k, 5mile, 10mile and marathon, whilst only being slightly off my best at 5k and half marathon! I'm determined to prove that this brain tumour does not need to stop me doing the things I enjoy and to be able to keep pushing myself.

This was at the Blackburn 10k when I ran 41:31 beating my PB by more than a minute!

This was after the Stockport 10mile when I ran a PB. I have always appreciated the massive support and encouragement from others in the Dragons Running Club (Sale).

This was after the Chester Marathon in October 2024 when I managed to run 3h 39mins which was the first time under 3h 40mins. Adam has been getting into his running and really inspires people to get out and give it a go. He raised money for a different charity last year so we are really lucky to have him raising money for BANA this time!

I was so excited about 2025, but injury has hampered my training so far, but I'm still going to give Brighton a go and hopefully London in a few weeks as well!

Whilst he’s not able to run, I will continue to value the support from my other half, Owen, who will be cheering all of us on at the various races! Liam our Labrador may also make the odd appearance too.

Thank you for any contribution you can make - it really does make a difference and it is much appreciated! Greig

Message from Adam:

Knowing Greig for a good few years now through my Husband Richard, I've seen the changes that Greig had to make after his diagnosis and despite some down moments his resilience to not let this get the better of him has been nothing but inspirational. Smashing the running targets and driving others alongside coaching me (a person who never thought would get under 30mins in a 5k let alone run a marathon! haha!) all with a smile on his face and enjoying life with the support of everyone around him, especially his Husband Owen watching in all weather and of course Liam the Labrador (who could not smile at that adorable face!). I have read up and seen what BANA can do and the support they can give so this year it will be a privilege to support Greig on his running and fundraising for such a great charity! The 3 BANAmigos are going to smash it this year!! Bring on the first challenge! Brighton Marathon!!!! :-)

Message from Rich:

I’ve know Greig since 2014 and I’m immensely proud of how he has coped since receiving his diagnosis! He is inspirational - despite the challenges he encounters everyday, he takes everything in his stride and always has a smile on his face. It’s unbelievable that he has run loads of marathons even though the tumour causes so much fatigue and issues with balance.

Greig is the reason we first started doing Parkruns and he has encouraged both me and Adam to enter 10k races and half marathons (maybe with a bit of alcohol involved when entering…). It’s great to see Owen and Liam there each weekend supporting us all, regardless of the weather (Liam loves the belly rubs as the end too).

BANA does such brilliant work in supporting those with acoustic neuromas and I’m proud to raise money for them and support Greig in hitting that target!

Thanks for taking the time to visit our 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.