A father and son from Plymstock have completed the Plymouth Half Marathon to raise funds for research into the disease which killed their father-in-law and grandfather.

Nick Clench, 49, and Jack Clench, 19, took on the 13.1-mile course in aid of pioneering charity Brain Tumour Research. The pair’s challenge was inspired by Nick’s father-in-law and Jack’s grandfather, Barry Aston.

Barry, a retired business owner, also from Plymouth, was diagnosed with a glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), a highly aggressive type of brain tumour, at the age of 67 and given six weeks to live. Doctors attempted to operate on the tumour and extend Barry’s life by 18 months but sadly surgery was unsuccessful and he died four months later, leaving behind his wife Kathy, two children and two grandchildren.

Jack, who is an electrical engineer at Plessey Semiconductors Ltd In Plymouth, said: “My grandad died 10 years ago this July and he will always remain my role model. He was a truly amazing man and I’m so pleased that Dad and I have completed this challenge in his memory.”

“After a delayed start, Jack and I ran together and kept each other going in the heat,” added Nick, a self-employed floor-layer. “Research into this disease is vital and if anyone would like to make a donation to help us raise funds, we would really appreciate it.”

Brain tumours kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer and less than 20% of those diagnosed with a brain tumour survive beyond five years compared with an average of 50% across all cancers, yet just 1% of the national spend on cancer research has been allocated to this devastating disease.

Emma Cronin, Community Fundraiser for Brain Tumour Research, said: “Congratulations to Nick and Jack for this tremendous achievement. We are extremely grateful for their support. Stories like Barry’s remind us all that we cannot allow this desperate situation to continue.

“The money Nick and Jack raised will help us in our mission to build a network of experts in sustainable research. We are funding dedicated Centres of Excellence – including one at the University of Plymouth – where scientists are focused on improving outcomes for patients and, ultimately, finding a cure.”

Make a donation to Brain Tumour Research via Jack’s JustGiving page.

For further information, please contact:
Farel Williams at Brain Tumour Research on 01908 867221 or 07592 502708 or farel.williams@braintumourresearch.org

Notes to Editors

Brain Tumour Research is the only national charity in the UK focused on funding sustainable research to find a cure for brain tumours. We have established a game-changing network of world-class Research Centres of Excellence in the UK. Embracing passionate member charities nationwide, over £6 million was raised towards research and support during 2017.

We are campaigning to see the national spend on research into brain tumours increased to £30 - £35 million a year, in line with breast cancer and leukaemia. The unprecedented success of our 2015 petition led to the 2016 Westminster Hall debate and Brain Tumour Research taking a leading role in the Government’s Task and Finish Working Group convened to tackle the historic underfunding for research with the report being published in 2018.

Key statistics on brain tumours:

• Brain tumours kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer
• They kill more children than leukaemia
• They kill more men under 45 than prostate cancer
• They kill more women under 35 than breast cancer
• Just 1% of the national spend on cancer research has been allocated to this devastating disease
• In the UK, 16,000 people each year in the UK are diagnosed with a brain tumour
• Less than 20% of those diagnosed with a brain tumour survive beyond five years compared with an average of 50% across all cancers
• Brain tumours are indiscriminate; they can affect anyone at any age
• Incidences of and deaths from brain tumours are increasing

Please quote Brain Tumour Research as the source when using this information. Additional facts and statistics are available from our website including our latest Report on National Research Funding. We can also provide case-studies and research expertise for media.