Meet two families holding Twilight Walk Own Walks this month
Roger and Bev’s Walk in Gloucestershire
“There’s a genuine feeling of love and support for us and it’s so humbling. It's also inspiring and really helping keep Bev positive on what is a very difficult journey.
Roger
Rog and Bev Clough, from Blockley, Gloucestershire, will take on a Twilight Own Walk with friends on March 16th, after Bev’s brain tumour diagnosis “dramatically changed” her life.
Bev’s diagnosis with a glioblastoma brain tumour – the most aggressive form of the disease in adults – came without warning, when she suddenly collapsed one day at work. Roger rushed her to A and E, where a scan confirmed a growth on her brain. Looking back, symptoms of brain fog, fatigue and then bad headaches were the only initial signs of a problem. Bev thought the symptoms were related to the menopause and the GP initially thought it was migraine related. It was only when she became really poorly that the brain tumour was diagnosed. Roger said:
“Bev’s diagnosis in 2023 came as a total shock. We had very limited knowledge of brain tumours and certainly no understanding of the treatment plan. We hadn’t directly known anybody who had been diagnosed – only what we’d seen on TV in documentaries, or high profile celebrities who had developed a brain tumour.
“After Bev’s tumour returned for a third time – after two brain surgeries and radio and chemotherapy – the decision was made to stop all treatment and we both wanted do something that helps to refocus our minds off the difficult journey ahead. We thought why not do something that would help other people living or being diagnosed with a brain tumour whilst also raising awareness, and that’s how we hit upon the idea of a fundraising walk.”
Walking with over 100 friends
Friends and family of the couple – over 100 in total – are preparing to walk the 5km route around Broadway on March 16th. Having originally set out to raise £1000, Roger and Bev are delighted to have surpassed that target, with over £7,000 raised so far (including Gift Aid). Bev explained their motivation to raise funds and awareness with their Twilight Own Walk:
“As a 54 year old, my life has dramatically changed. The confidence I once had and independence I took for granted has gone. The treatment is brutal and prognosis is poor. There are little or few treatments open to me. The current standard treatment plans won’t eradicate the tumour just give a little more time. There is so much more investment needed into research into brain tumours.”
Roger and Bev have been hugely encouraged by the support they have received from friends and neighbours for their fundraising walk. Roger explained:
“There’s a genuine feeling of love and support for us and it’s so humbling. It’s also inspiring and really helping keep Bev positive on what is a very difficult journey.
“We are really looking forward to the start of the walk – joining wonderful family and friends old and new, from near and far, who who are here to support us and the Brain Tumour Charity. We will also enjoy socialising and celebrating the success of the walk with refreshments afterwards.”
James and Ell Mason’s Walk in Jersey
“We thought the walk would be a great challenge to focus on, and create something good out of something bad.
James Mason
James and Ell, from St Lawrence, will walk 40km with friends at the weekend, after James’ brain tumour diagnosis.
James Mason, 38, was diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2020, after experiencing headaches that started as mild but began to grow in severity. He explained:
“The headaches got worse –to the point where the pain of them would wake me from sleep. I was also starting to suffer from blurred vision, and spots drifting across my view. At one stage I became unsteady on my feet and stumbled. That worried me, so I went to my GP, who provided me with painkillers. But, knowing I never suffer from headaches, I went to get a second opinion, and thankfully on that occasion the doctor sent me for an MRI scan.”
James’ tumour was identified as a Rosette-forming glioneuronal tumour, a rare tumour that can occur at any age, but is most common in young adults. He needed two operations in quick succession – one to remove the hydrocephalus (fluid build up) from his brain, and another to remove the tumour. Happily, he recovered well, with no after effects from the surgery. However, in January this year, he found out that the tumour is slowly growing again, and will require further treatment.
Walking a 40km route
Now James and wife Ell have set themselves a challenge to raise funds for The Brain Tumour Charity during Brain Tumour Awareness Month. On Sunday March 9th, they will set out on a 40km Twilight Own Walk in the countryside near their home. James said:
“I feel like I face a different challenge to the previous time. On the last occasion the choices were taken away from me as I was at serious risk. This time it is a much slower process and I am finding it more mentally draining living with the knowledge that a tumour is growing inside my brain.
“We thought the walk would be a great challenge to focus on, and create something good out of something bad. We wanted something that would challenge us both and this seemed like a good distance to do. It is also acting as a great distraction for us as we navigate these early days following news that my tumour is growing back.“
“We are fortunate to live on the beautiful island of Jersey, so the walk will take in a lot of countryside and lovely views. I’ve made a route that includes some of our favourite places to eat, places I went when I was recovering, and the hospital where it all began.
“We are looking forward to wearing our Brain Tumour Charity Shirts, raising awareness and having a number of people who have helped raise money walk with us. We are also looking forward to the physical challenge and sense of accomplishment and hopefully not too many blisters at the end!”
James and El have been encouraged by the support they have received from friends and their children for their walk. Fundraising is going well, the couple far surpassing their original £300 target, with over £1,600 raised so far.
James said: “Prior to my diagnosis, I had very little awareness or knowledge of brain tumours. It was something I thought was almost an end-of-life diagnosis, or something found only in older people.
“We feel extremely fortunate to have been in such a serious and difficult situation and to have come through it all to this point.
“Before our experience, I wouldn’t have even considered my symptoms could have been a tumour, yet due to my condition I was in a very serious situation, so raising awareness about brain tumours, the effects and symptoms seems extremely worthwhile. In addition raising funds for research or simply to support other families going through similar situations just seem like the right thing to do.”
Take on a Twilight Own Walk
It’s not too late to organise your own Twilight Walk!