In 2017, at the age of 40, I was diagnosed with an Acoustic Neuroma/Vestibular Schwannoma brain tumour. A few weeks later I underwent 12 hours of surgery to remove it. Whilst this was a success, I was left with grade 6 facial palsy, impaired balance and hearing loss on the tumour side.

I received superb aftercare in the immediate aftermath of this ordeal, but recovery from this is ongoing. I still suffer with fatigue, hearing loss and facial palsy. This impacts massively on day-to-day living. Finding your way after an experience like this is incredibly difficult, and there is little on the way of ongoing support.

This is why, on Sunday 8th September, I'll be donning my Running Roman outfit once again and completing the Great North Run!

I'll be fundraising for The Beyond Recovery Project. This non-profit organisation provides massive support for those individuals who have survived a brain tumour, yet live with the the often lifelong side effects of this diagnosis every single day. From providing walking groups across the UK, Wellbeing Weekends, and international challenges, to funding counselling sessions and alternative therapies (for example hyperbaric oxygen therapy), this organisation really is changing lives.

However, in order to do this they rely entirely on donations.

Please help me to support The Beyond Recovery Project if you can. Every single penny really does make a difference.

Thank you.