Gill Richards

George Richards shares his family's journey through his mother's diagnosis of a brain tumour and how it led him to participate in the London Marathon to raise funds for Brainstorm.

Living in London with his wife Jen and two sons, Sebastian and Jasper, George tells us of the shock of his mother's diagnosis and the challenges they faced.

It all started when his mother, Gill, began experiencing dizzy spells and headaches towards the end of the previous year. Which led to George's father taking her to the hospital, where they discovered she had been having minor strokes. This then revealed the presence of a tumour. The family spent the Christmas together, knowing that his mother would undergo a major operation in January.

The surgery was successful, but the diagnosis confirmed it was a cancerous and aggressive tumour. George and his family faced the difficulty sharing the news with their loved ones, but they remained determined to stay positive. His mother embarked on a series of treatments, including radiotherapy, with the support of their family and the guidance of the medical team here at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford.

Motivated by his mother's strength and the desire to make a difference, George decided to use his passion for running to raise funds for the charity that had been supporting his mother throughout her journey. Having qualified for the London Marathon, George set up a fundraising page and was overwhelmed by the immediate support he received from friends, family, and colleagues.

Listen to his full story below.