Brain tumour sufferer Matt ready to take on marathon in battle against the disease

A brain tumour patient is preparing to run the London Marathon to raise funds for the battle to beat the disease.

Matt Ticehurst, of Elms Road, Clapham, will be running the famous race on Sunday, April 21, in aid of the charity Brain Tumour Research.

The 32-year-old will be joined by his partner Kirsty Maund and their friend Meg Jackson, of Balham, South London.

Matt, a senior investment analyst for property developer Related Argent, ran the race six years ago. But this time will be different, following his brain cancer diagnosis in May 2022.

He said: “I ran the London Marathon in 2018, which was the hottest London Marathon on record. Given the heat, it wasn’t my best run and it felt like I had unfinished business.

“I’ve wanted to do it again to improve my time, but April’s run is more about having an opportunity to raise funds and awareness, with my oncologist suggesting that given the tumour, this is not the time to go breaking records.

“I’m excited but anxious that, given my tendency to have seizures when I overheat, if it’s as hot as last time, I may have to pull out. But hopefully that won’t happen.”

He added: “I love watching the marathon and having the opportunity to take part and raise money for Brain Tumour Research is even better. To know we’ve helped play a part in advancing treatments for brain tumours will be brilliant, so we’re keen to raise as much as we can.”

Matt had been suffering from pins and needles down his right-hand side for about six weeks prior to diagnosis. He went on to have seven weeks of combined radiotherapy and chemotherapy, and a further six cycles of chemotherapy.

Matt, who is now being monitored with regular scans, said: “I did the Bath Half Marathon to see if I could get around before I took a place in the London Marathon with the charity. I feel relatively confident I’ll be able to do it, but there’s always that lurking quarterly MRI check-up, which I’ll have two more of before the day.

“I’m trying to build back up to a normal life but that’s always in the back of my mind because I know if my results aren’t good, we’ll need to act quickly and it won’t be something I can delay. Thankfully, though, my tumour is stable at the moment.”

To support Matt’s fundraising, visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Matt-Ticehurst.

Pictured top (left to right): Meg Jackson, Matt Ticehurst and Kirsty Maund (Picture: Brain Tumour Research)