'My friend's brain tumour decline was shocking'

Charles Bain Smith walked 250km (155 miles) along part of the Hebridean Way in Scotland to raise £600 for charity

"For me, the brain is such an interestingly complex organ, " says Charles Bain Smith.

"If we can understand more about it then we have a chance to help improve the effectiveness of treatments and save lives.”

The 57-year-old from Folkestone, Kent, has just completed a 10-day solo trek in Scotland covering 250km (155 miles) for Brain Tumour Research.

He said the challenge was inspired by the recent loss and "shocking deterioration" of his friend, who was in his 60s, due to a brain tumour.

Mr Bain Smith, a building specialist at the National Trust, raised £600 for the charity as part of its 200k in May challenge.

He said: "I found the whole experience deeply spiritual.

"You are left with your own thoughts and nobody else to refer to and I had an opportunity to reflect."

Mr Bain Smith walked an average of 17 miles per day across part of the Hebridean Way from Vatersay Island to Stornoway.

He carried all of the food and equipment he needed for the trip on his back.

He said his biggest challenge was exposure to the elements.

Mr Bain Smith said he wants to help raise awareness of the lack of investment into research of brain tumours

Shocking deterioration

Mr Bain Smith said despite the trek being his first solo hike, he "didn't feel lonely" and met many people along the journey who "exchanged their own stories of knowing someone living with a brain tumour".

Brain tumours kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer and kill more men under 70 than prostate cancer, according to Brain Tumour Research.

Yet the charity said "just 1% of the national spend on cancer research has been allocated to brain tumours since records began in 2002".

Mr Bain Smith said: "I read updates from my friend who posted on social media and his deterioration was shocking to see.

"I have since learned of multiple colleagues who are living with the disease and I think it's vital to help raise awareness of the lack of investment into research of brain tumours."

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