Dad of newly born Millie and Glenrothes-based Blair, 28, is joining us this Brain Tumour Awareness Month (BTAM) to use his story to help us raise awareness as part of our #VoicesForChange.
Blair was inspired to run 10k a day by his mum Brenda, who suffered from a brain and spinal tumour.
Brenda was first diagnosed back in 1996 and had her first operation in 1997 and then her second in 1999, which left her unable to feel her right side of her body and struggles with her balance.
Since then she has had to have continuous check-ups at Edinburgh hospital. For Blair and his young family she remains “a true inspiration and my hero.”
Despite the ongoing COVID crisis and pressures, Blair is determined to reach his fundraising target.
Blair said: “It has been tough training through lockdown but I like to stay motivated and I’m usually quite active as I work in a leisure centre and take fitness classes.
“Since lockdown I’ve enjoyed training outdoors a lot more which is why I decided to take up running more than usual. I’ve also been doing home workouts for CrossFit to maintain and improve my strength which has also helped me with my running.
“My football managers at Glenrothes F.C would give us a 5km run each week since we couldn’t train which encouraged me to try and run more often or further. I started to see myself improve on my times which made me want to try different runs and distances.
“I don’t have a specific place I like to run as I like to mix them up so that I don’t get bored and can see different scenery. Sometimes I will do road runs and others I will do trail. I sometimes run around different areas of Glenrothes or Kirkcaldy with some friends, however most recently I decided to do a half marathon around Loch Leven.
“During lockdown my fiancée, Christy and I had a little girl called Millie. After having Millie it changed my perspective on life and motivated me to do something like this.
“They have been my biggest supporters and have kept me focused to achieve this goal.
“I am really looking forward to taking part for such an important cause, I know it’s going to be a really tough challenge and it’s going to be a month of me complaining to my fiancée about having sore legs, but it will definitely be worth it.
“I just want to thank anyone who has, and continues to, support me by joining me on my runs, I know I won’t be able to do it without you all.”
This BTAM, we’re also shining a spotlight on BRIAN, our ground-breaking app that’s revolutionising the way we tackle brain tumours. BRIAN helps you take control of your diagnosis and will shape the future of brain tumour research.
First, BRIAN supports you by tracking symptoms, appointments, moods and more. Then, your anonymised data will go to world-leading scientists, who’ll use it to kick start vital research.
By signing up to BRIAN and logging your experiences, you can track your progress while being part of the cure.
BRIAN is the biggest data collection project in the history of brain tumour research, powered by those affected by this disease.
Join us, Join BRIAN and be part of our #VoicesForChange.
Download our BRIAN app on the App Store Download our BRIAN app on Google Play