'I'll be thinking of mum during the marathon'

Aidan Giddins is running the London Marathon to raise money for Brain Tumour Research

Aidan Giddins lost his mum, Joanne Cross, in 2024 after she was diagnosed with a glioblastoma brain tumour.

"She was a bubbly, independent woman who always looked out for me and other family members," the 19-year-old said.

To commemorate her life, Mr Giddins, from Hednesford, is running the London Marathon to raise money for the charity, Brain Tumour Research.

"It's shocking to learn how little funding goes into researching brain tumours, especially considering how devastating this disease is."

Mr Giddins added: "My Mum deserved better and so do all the other people facing this diagnosis."

He recalled seeing his mum poorly in bed gave him the motivation to do something to help prevent other families facing the devastating impact of the disease.

Mr Giddins has raised £5,000 so far

Ms Cross began experiencing severe headaches and short-term memory loss in September 2022, before discovering she had glioblastoma.

Despite multiple surgeries and receiving chemotherapy and radiotherapy, Joanne died in February 2024, aged 46, 18-months after her diagnosis.

"I'll never forget the time in the hospice when Mum was non-responsive, but she still gripped my hand, as if she knew I was there and wanted to comfort me.

"I don't want anyone else to have to go through that, and only a cure for brain tumours can stop this from happening," he said.

So far, Mr Giddins has raised £5,000.

Despite having no prior running experience, Aidan has fully committed himself to training in preparation for the marathon.

"I'd never even ran a 5k before so to run 42k is very challenging but training has gone very well, it's just time to get it done now.

"I've managed to get a solid routine in place, running at night because it allows me to study and work during the day.

"There are times when it's really hard, but thinking of Mum, and support from my friends and family, keeps me going and pushes me to keep putting one foot in front of the other," he said.