Chalford runner to take on London Marathon in friend's memory

Megan Williams, 25, from Chalford, near Stroud set herself the challenge of a lifetime after taking up running only 18 months ago.

On Sunday, April 21, she will be taking on the world-famous 26.2 mile race in aid of the charity Brain Tumour Research. 

Freelance photographer Megan, said: “I ran my first ever 5km after watching the London Marathon in October 2022 which inspired me to join my local parkrun.

"I love the routine of running alongside hundreds of people and getting faster each week whilst volunteers cheer you on.”

Her marathon inspiration comes from next door neighbour, Lynne Adams, who died from gliobastoma (GBM) just seven months ago, less than two years after her diagnosis.

Megan said: “Lynne was like family to me.

"Her daughter Freya, used to babysit me when I was younger and as I grew up I would always go round for dinner and dog walks.

“I didn’t tell anyone I had a place in the London Marathon straight way. I took part in the Bath Half in October last year as a step up from 5km.

"It felt like less pressure not telling anyone.

"Sadly Lynne died before I could tell her.”

Lynne’s devastating diagnosis came after she suffered seizures and spells of dizziness just one year after she retired as a librarian and cover supply teacher at Marling School in Stroud.

Megan said: “She was a huge influence on my love of animals growing up as she was always taking care of foster dogs, chickens and ducks and helped me persuade my family to get my first pet which led me into a career of working with animals.

"I have fond memories of visiting Lynne when she moved into a care home, where she spent the last six months of her short battle with the illness.

"On my visits I’d always take along working cocker Woody and cockapoo Wilma who always made her smile.”

Megan is aiming to raise £3,500 for the charity whose vision is to find a cure for all types of brain tumours - to donate to Brain Tumour Research via Megan’s challenge, visit - http://tinyurl.com/zwy4mt4c

She said: “At the same time Lynne was receiving end of life care, the EastEnders storyline was running with Lola Pearce’s terminal diagnosis. T

"his brought my attention to the lack of research into the disease and its historic underfunding compared to other cancers.

"I want to highlight the fact that brain tumours can devastate lives and I want to be part of the solution.”

Carol Robertson, national events manager for Brain Tumour Research, said: “With one in three people knowing someone affected by a brain tumour, Lynne’s story is, sadly, not unique.

"In the UK, 16,000 people each year are diagnosed with a brain tumour, yet just one per cent of the national spend on cancer research has been allocated to this devastating disease since records began in 2002.

“We’re determined to change that but it’s only by working together we will be able to improve treatment options for patients and, ultimately, a cure.

"We’re really grateful for Megan’s support and will be there to cheer her across the finish line in April.”

Brain Tumour Research funds sustainable research at dedicated centres in the UK.

"It also campaigns for the Government and larger cancer charities to invest more in research into brain tumours in order to speed up new treatments for patients and, ultimately, to find a cure.

"The charity is the driving force behind the call for a national annual spend of £35 million in order to improve survival rates and patient outcomes in line with other cancers such as breast cancer and leukaemia.