A mum of three from Reading whose uncle died from a brain tumour has completed the London Marathon in aid of Brain Tumour Research.

Joining tens of thousands of runners, Kimberly Hemani, aged 34, ran in memory of her uncle, Peter Shortman, and to help raise funds for scientists to find a cure for the disease.

Peter, a lorry driver from Hayling Island, was diagnosed with a high-grade brain tumour in April 2014 after suddenly losing sight while driving which led to a road accident. The tumour was found to be aggressive and inoperable, and just four months after diagnosis, Peter died aged 56, leaving behind his wife Vicky and two teenage children, Grace and Jordan.

The father of one of Kimberly’s closest friends, Keith Horseman, has also been diagnosed with the disease. Keith, who is the founder and director of Horseman Coaches in Reading, was diagnosed in August 2016 at the age of 66 and is currently undergoing treatment.

Kimberly said: “Completing the London Marathon has always been such a dream of mine, and now I’ve done it! To be raising money for Brain Tumour Research through this challenge is also such an achievement. I’m really touched that Grace came to cheer me on and seeing her after I finished really made it all worth it.

“My family and friends have helped me to raise an incredible amount so far and I’m hoping I can raise more still as the more funding scientists can get, the closer we are to a cure.”

Kimberly was one of 40,000 runners taking part in the event which was started by The Queen from the grounds of Windsor Castle. It was the 38^th London Marathon to take place since the first on 29^th March 1981.

The money she raises will go towards the pioneering charity Brain Tumour Research which funds a network of dedicated Centres of Excellence where scientists are focused on improving outcomes for patients and, ultimately, finding a cure.

Michael Thelwall, Head of Community Fundraising for Brain Tumour Research, said: “Kimberly’s determination and commitment are fantastic and I hope her story will provide inspiration to others whose lives have been affected by a brain tumour.

“Brain tumours kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer – and more men under 45 than prostate cancer – yet just 1% of the national spend on cancer research has been allocated to this devastating disease.

“For too long, brain tumours have been a neglected cancer. Experiences like Peter’s remind us all that we cannot allow this desperate situation to continue. We are extremely grateful to Kimberly and offer our congratulations to everyone who took part in this year’s event to raise money for charity.”

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

For further information, please contact:
Farel Williams at Brain Tumour Research on 01908 867239 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.