London Marathon 2025 running for a brain tumour cure

04/05/2025

Last post!
I started writing these posts back in September 2024, after finding out I had a place to run the TCS London Marathon for The Brain Tumour Charity.
Until that point, I hadn’t shared much about my health or the challenges I’ve faced—and continue to face—on social media. It felt too personal, too private. But I really wanted to make the most of this opportunity, so I decided to open up. Not just to raise money, but to raise awareness of what it’s like to live with a long-term health condition.
For me, The Brain Tumour Charity has always been the main driving force. But I also live with the autoimmune condition Giant Cell Arteritis. Having both has made things more complicated—never quite knowing which condition or treatment is causing which symptoms.

I’ve tried to keep my posts positive. I’ve tried to show that even when things get really tough, there’s still a way to stay motivated, to focus on what is possible, and to ask for support when it’s needed.
And what support I’ve had.
Thanks to all of you, we’ve now raised over £6,000—something I never imagined when I was worried about hitting my £2,700 target! I’m beyond grateful. I’d love to thank everyone by name, but I know I’d risk missing someone out—and there are just too many of you to mention.
To my family: thank you for supporting me so much since my diagnosis back in January 2022, and for putting up with me talking about all things marathon for over six months (not sure what I’ll talk about now!). Special thanks to my sister Carol for always being there, and to my Paul Brigstock Polly for the amazing support throughout marathon weekend. Em—well, Em—how would I have got through those long runs without you? I needed you by my side so much on the day (you were the in spirit all the way)
Paul Brigstock, Oscar, Edie, and Tom Keith—thank you for being there and doing the normal things with me.
Like I say, just too many of you to mention.
But one last big, big thank you to Robin—I haven’t forgotten you. Without your support, we wouldn’t have raised anywhere near as much. But more than that—you’ve been there through so much over the past three years. Even when I was struggling with my health and told you I was going to run the London Marathon (!!), you never judged. You just supported me in every way you could (as long as I didn’t ask you to run!). So—one big thank you.
And that’s it.
My JustGiving page will stay open for a couple more weeks, and my friend Andrea is hosting an open garden on 17th May to raise more money for The Brain Tumour Charity—local friends, I’ll keep you updated on that.

Thank you for listening, sharing, donating, and supporting.
(Just a few photos from last few months)

https://www.justgiving.com/page/susan-brigstock-17258084356

03/05/2025

Nearly one week on!
As I start to think about drawing my fundraising to a close, I’ve been reflecting—not just on the marathon itself and all the training, but on everything that led me to run for The Brain Tumour Charity.

Last week, there were 143 of us running for this incredible cause. Each one of us had our own personal story—running for a loved one who had been diagnosed with a brain tumour: mums, dads, sons, daughters, or ourselves. We all faced different challenges, both emotional and physical, but we were united in raising awareness and vital funds for The Brain Tumour Charity.

Today, I ran my first post-marathon Bognor Regis parkrun and was very pleased to find that my body still remembers how to run! It was lovely to share a cuppa after with other runners from Bognor Regis Tone Zone Runners whose support has been amazing.
The generosity of so many has been amazing, helping me raise far more than I ever thought possible.
My JustGiving page is still open if anyone would like to donate—now that you know I did it!


https://www.justgiving.com/page/susan-brigstock-17258084356

28/04/2025

Marathon Thank You Post

I did it!
26.2 miles (well strava says 26.63 so I’ll take that extra nearly ½ mile!) countless emotions, and one unforgettable experience.

Crossing that finish line wasn’t just about running a marathon—it was about everything that’s come before it: the diagnosis, the surgeries, the recovery, the self-doubt, and the determination to keep going.

Running for The Brain Tumour Charitymade every step even more meaningful. Together, we’ve raised awareness, shared stories, and funded crucial research and support. And there’s still time to donate if you haven’t yet.

I cannot put into words how grateful I am for the support I have had from friends, family, run club and even people I do not know making donations.

You have trained with me, encouraged me, listened to me talk everything marathon and kept me motivated.

Yesterday the support I had from friends and family was amazing. There are too many to mention but Paul Brigstock and Polly being by my actual side all weekend, Bognor Regis Tone Zone Runners cheering me on, Em who not only trained with me but sent messages of encrougment and looked out for me amongst all the other thousands of supports lining the streets. Robin, Paul Brigstock, Tom Keith and Dan sending messages of support and encouragement and of course, Oscar, my 14 year old grandson who also cheered me on watching on tv and donating his pocket money.
Lastly, to The Brain Tumour Charity support team- they cheered me on around the course, took some great photos and looked after me at the end when I became ill ( am ok now!)

Thank you to everyone who believed in me, encouraged me, and donated—you were all with me out there on the course.
Here’s to strength, hope, and making every challenge count.
This fund raising marathon journey is nearly done but please keep sharing though out this week for any last donations.



https://www.justgiving.com/page/susan-brigstock-1725808435690

27/04/2025

I don’t really know how but I finished. What amazing support all the way round. I found it very tough mainly due to heat. The Brain Tumour Charity were amazing and really looked after me at the end



https://www.justgiving.com/page/susan-brigstock-1725808435690

27/04/2025

Today’s the day!
In just a little while, I’ll be standing at the start line of the London Marathon. I can’t quite believe it’s here.

There have been moments over the past few years when I couldn’t imagine doing something like this. Brain tumour surgery, radiotherapy, and managing giant cell arteritis have tested me in more ways than I can explain. But somehow, I’ve made it to this moment—nervous, excited, and ready.

I’m running for The Brain Tumour Charity, to raise awareness, support research, and stand with everyone affected by brain tumours and long-term health conditions. Every step today is for them.

If you’re able to support the cause, even with a small donation, it would mean so much.
Let’s make this run matter. I’ll see you at the finish line!

26/04/2025

It’s almost time!

Tomorrow, I’ll be standing at the start line of the TCS London Marathon-something that felt impossible not too long ago.
After brain tumour surgery, radiotherapy, and learning to live with giant cell arteritis, this journey has been more than just physical training. It’s been about resilience, hope, and refusing to give up.

I’ll be running for The Brain Tumour Charity, in honour of those facing brain tumours and other long-term health conditions. For those still fighting. For those we’ve lost. For better treatments and, one day, a cure.

Thank you for all the encouragement and donations so far—your support means the world. If you’re able to give, there’s still time to donate.

Let’s make this run count. Let’s make a difference.

Help susan brigstock raise money to support The Brain Tumour Charity

24/04/2025

A few weeks ago The Brain Tumour Charity interviewed me and other charity runners about why we are running the London marathon for them. You can now read these stories and hear more about the impact brain tumours can have on, not only the person with the tumour but also their families.
As we go through the last few days before the big event please keep sharing so we can try and prevent brain tumours for others in the future

Meet some of the brave people running the London Marathon 2025 in support of The Brain Tumour Charity. Read their stories here!

24/04/2025

Brain Tumour Awareness Post

Let’s talk about brain tumours.
Did you know that brain tumours are the biggest cancer killer of children and adults under 40 in the UK? Yet research into brain tumours receives just a small fraction of the national cancer research funding.
In 2023, I had brain tumours removed and went through radiotherapy. It changed everything. Recovery has been tough—physically, mentally, emotionally—but I’ve come through it with a mission: to raise awareness and help make change happen.

That’s why I’m running the TCS London Marathon for The Brain Tumour Charity. They provide support for patients and families, fund life-saving research, and fight to improve diagnosis and treatment.

If you’re able to, please donate. Every step I take on marathon day is for people still fighting, for better treatments, and for hope.
Let’s raise our voices—and the funds to make a difference.


https://www.justgiving.com/page/susan-brigstock-1725808435690?utm_medium=FR&utm_source=CL&utm_campaign=015

23/04/2025

Why I’m running the London Marathon…

This isn’t just a bucket list goal. It’s personal.

In 2023, I had brain tumours surgically removed and underwent radiotherapy. That experience changed my life. Recovery has been long and complicated—and alongside that, I was also diagnosed with giant cell arteritis, a long-term health condition that brings its own challenges.

Running the marathon is about reclaiming my strength, pushing my limits, and raising vital funds for The Brain Tumour Charity. They support people going through exactly what I went through—and they’re investing in the research we so desperately need.

I’m one of the lucky ones. Many people are still in the thick of their battle. I’m running for them.

Thank you for being part of this journey with me.
Please donate if you can—and keep sharing. Every bit of support makes a difference.

22/04/2025

Giant Cell Arteritis Awareness Post

Living with a hidden condition.
Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA) is a type of vasculitis—an inflammatory disease of the blood vessels—that can lead to serious complications like permanent vision loss or stroke if not treated quickly.

It’s something I now live with every day.
GCA can be hard to diagnose and even harder to explain. It’s often invisible from the outside, but the fatigue, pain, and unpredictability are very real. Managing it alongside recovery from brain tumours has been a huge challenge—but one I’m meeting head-on by running the London Marathon.
For more information look at https://pmrgca.org.uk/
This charity has also provided me great support.

I want to shine a light on conditions like GCA that don’t always get the attention they deserve. Awareness leads to earlier diagnosis, better support, and improved outcomes.
Please consider donating to The Brain Tumour Charity as I run for everyone living with long-term health conditions, both visible and hidden.
Your support helps turn challenges into action.


https://www.justgiving.com/page/susan-brigstock-17258084356

21/04/2025

21/04/2025

Marathon Week

As I make my way through this final week before the TCS London Marathon, while I rest and plan, it feels like a good time to reflect.
Over the next few days, I’ll be sharing posts to raise awareness about Giant Cell Artritis and brain tumours, as well as some updates as I count down to the start line.

But today, while I take an extra rest day, I’m thinking about how far I’ve come with my running—not just over the past 16 weeks of training, but over the last year.

In January 2024, I returned to my running club, Bognor Regis Tone Zone Runners, and rejoined the beginners’ group doing C25k, aiming to build back up to run the Bognor Prom 10k Road Race in May—which I did!

My next goal was the Great South Run in October—10 miles. I felt ready… but the great British weather had other plans, and the event was cancelled at the last minute. Still full of adrenaline, I decided to run 10 miles anyway—huge thanks to my running friend David Graves for joining me that day.

By then, I knew I had a place in the London Marathon, and my distances started to increase. My longest run has been 18 miles.
A few thank yous to some brilliant running friends who’ve helped me get here:
Everyone at Bognor Regis parkrun—such a supportive, welcoming community.
My run club BRTZ, especially coach Karen and everyone in her group.
And of course, my lovely friend Emma, who gave up her Friday mornings to join me on my long runs—what will we do now on Fridays?!

That’s it for now—back to resting and reflecting. I‘m sure I’ve got more thank-you posts coming.
It’s the final stretch—please keep sharing and keep supporting to help encourage more donations. Let’s make this count.


https://www.justgiving.com/page/susan-brigstock-17258084356