Matt Ticehurst, 32, a brain tumour patient is preparing to run a marathon to help find a cure for the disease.
The investment analyst who lives in Clapham will be joined by his partner Kirsty Maund and their friend Meg Jackson.
The trio’s inspiration for running the iconic 26.2-mile race comes following Matt’s brain cancer diagnosis in May 2022.
He will run the TCS London Marathon on 21 April in aid of the charity Brain Tumour Research.
Matt said: “I ran the London Marathon in 2018, which was the hottest London Marathon on record.
“Given the heat, it wasn’t my best run and it felt like I had unfinished business.
“I’ve wanted to do it again to improve my time, but this is more about raising funds and awareness.
“With my oncologist suggesting that given the tumour, this is not the time to go breaking records.”
Matt is excited but anxious that he may have to pull out the race because he tends to have seizures when he overheats.
He wants to raise money to play a part in advancing treatments for brain tumours.
After suffering from pins and needles for about six weeks, an awake craniotomy revealed a grade 4 astrocytoma.
He had radiotherapy and chemotherapy and is being monitored regularly.
Matt feels relatively confident that he complete the marathon because he did the Bath Half Marathon.
He said he now wants to build up to a normal life.
Although his tumour is stable, if his MRI results are not good, quick action will need to be taken.
Carol Robertson is a national events manager for Brain Tumour Research.
Carol said: “Sadly, with one in three people knowing someone affected by a brain tumour, Matt’s story is not unique.”
More children and adults under 40 are killed by brain tumours than any other cancer.
However, only 1% of the national spend on cancer research has been allocated to this disease since records began in 2002.
Carol said: “We’re determined to change this but we can’t do it alone.
“We’re really grateful to Matt, Kirsty and Meg for all their support and look forward to cheering them across the finish line on race day.”
Brain Tumour Research funds research at dedicated centres in the UK.
It also campaigns for increased investment to speed up new treatments and find a cure.
The charity is calling for a national annual spend of £35 million.
This is to improve survival rates and patient outcomes in line with other cancers.
To support Matt’s fundraising, visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Matt-Ticehurst.
