After losing his baking-loving grandmother to a brain tumour, pâtissier, Connor Martin, has completed the London Marathon to raise funds for research into the disease.

Joining tens of thousands of runners on Sunday 22^nd April, Connor, aged 23, from Dunstable, was inspired to take part in the world’s biggest running event for the charity Brain Tumour Research after his grandmother, Lorna Martin, passed away from an aggressive brain tumour in March 2017.

After suffering from symptoms that resembled a stroke, Lorna was admitted to hospital for further tests to find the cause. An MRI scan revealed that she had a grade four glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), a very aggressive form of brain tumour. She underwent surgery to remove the tumour but passed away less than four months later, aged 65.      

Connor, who works in the pastry kitchen at country house Waddesdon Manor in Buckinghamshire, said: “Completing the London Marathon is such a personal achievement for me. It was a huge challenge but I’ve done it!

“My nan was such a clever, kind and thoughtful person. I think she would be really proud of what I had achieved and as there is little known about this disease, she would feel it was important for me to do what I could and help raise funds for research. Knowing I’ve raised over £4,000 so far for Brain Tumour Research is such a great feeling.”

Connor 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 he has raised 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.

Carol Robertson, Head of Community Fundraising for Brain Tumour Research, said: “Brain tumours kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other 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. Stories like Lorna’s remind us all that we cannot allow this desperate situation to continue. We are extremely grateful for Connor’s support and offer our congratulations to everyone who took part in this year’s event to raise money for charity.”

To make a donation to Brain Tumour Research via Connor’s fundraising page go to http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/ConnorMartin

For further information, please contact:
Lexie Jenkins at Brain Tumour Research on 01908 867222 or 07591 206545 or Lexie.Jenkins@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.