London marathon sees record numbers take part
It’s billed as the most popular marathon on the planet. And it’s easy to see why. Great location. Historical landmarks. And, of course, a huge buzz from the tens of thousands of spectators who line the London Marathon to cheer on participants.
This year saw more than 50,000 people take part in the annual challenge which sees participants run a total of 26.2 miles from the Greenwich start line to the finish line on The Mall.
Among the 50,000 participants in this year’s London Marathon were 133 runners who were taking part on behalf of The Brain Tumour Charity.
The group has raised an incredible £710K to date. They included Aimi Battershall, from Huntingdon, in Cambridgeshire. Her moving story was recently included as a plotline for BBC One’s Eastenders.
Aimi, who was diagnosed with a low grade glioma which cannot be surgically removed in December 2018, completed the marathon in six hours 41 minutes and has raised an incredible £15,500 towards accelerating a cure for the disease.
Her original target of £2,700 was quickly reached as people across the country heard about her story on the national news.
Her determination to complete the event was reflected in comments to the BBC where she said how she would finish it ‘even if I have to walk most of the miles.’
She added that her training had been a ‘mix of high and lows’ and that her ‘mind is definitely stronger than my body.’
An appeal for a national strategy to help people with brain tumours
The Brain Tumour Charity recently launched a national appeal for the government to have a national strategy in place which’ll help people facing the condition.
More than 50,000 people signed an Open Letter which was submitted earlier this month to the Health Minister, Andrew Stephenson.
The Brain Tumour Charity is the UK’s largest dedicated brain tumour charity. It funds pioneering research to increase survival and improve treatment options.
The team also raise awareness of the symptoms and effects of brain tumours to bring about earlier diagnosis.
The Charity provides support for everyone affected so that they can live as full a life as possible, with the best quality of life.
Aimi’s fundraising page: https://www.justgiving.com/page/aimi-battershall-1