A mum who was told she might never walk again is challenging herself to complete a half marathon in her home.

Denise Fincham was diagnosed with three meningiomas in May 2020 after suffering debilitating headaches and sudden vomiting. She underwent surgery to remove the largest of her tumours but suffered a bleed on her brain and a stroke, which left her paralysed from her neck down.

She said: “I was told I would probably never walk again and, although I accepted what they told me, I never accepted that was how my life was going to be. I just couldn’t see myself being in a wheelchair for the rest of my life.”

Now, having undergone intensive rehabilitation and learned to walk again using aides, Denise is undertaking a challenge which will see her complete the 13.1-mile distance at home during March, to mark Brain Tumour Awareness Month and raise vital funds for Brain Tumour Research.

Denise added: “I originally wanted to complete a full marathon distance but after trying to do the steps I needed, I was so tired that I had a seizure and had to re-evaluate what was possible. My physio said it was probably a good idea not to push myself so hard and suggested a half-marathon because the more I do the stronger I will become. Ideally, I’d like to push to raise £1,000 for the charity.”

Denise has already smashed her target and has raised more than £1,200. If you’d like to support her, please visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Denise-Fincham

Related reading:

• Denise’s story
• Fundraise your way for Brain Tumour Research

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