Last Saturday, hundreds of our superstar supporters donned pink and stepped out to raise funds to find a cure for all types of brain tumours. Walk of Hope 2025 flagship events took place in London, Luton, Torpoint, New Forest, Elvaston Castle and Motherwell – as well as many more DIY walks in between.
In Scotland, more than 150 people turned out at Strathclyde Country Park for the Motherwell Walk – already raising more than £19,000. Among those putting their best foot forwards was Julie McCarthy, a 51-year-old former teacher diagnosed with a glioblastoma in 2023, who told us: “When I collapsed after a seizure in my car, I never imagined it would lead to a glioblastoma diagnosis.
“Walking in Motherwell with my family and so many others reminded me that we are not alone. Research must be better funded so that we can find earlier diagnoses, kinder treatments and a cure.”
The money raised at Motherwell will go to fund work at our Centres of Excellence, including the Scottish Brain Tumour Research Centre of Excellence, which is dedicated to developing new treatments for glioblastoma, the same aggressive brain tumour that Julie is living with.
Elvaston Castle, in Derbyshire, saw supporters enjoying a lively warm-up and face-painting, as well as a raffle. Surrounded by more than 300 acres of beautiful parkland, one supporter, Gemma Chandler, told us: “I’m walking in my husband's memory. It would’ve been his birthday yesterday. He would’ve been 38. And it’s our wedding anniversary today. We would have been married 11 years.”
The Luton Walk of Hope was led by our Fundraising Group Fight4Hope for the fifth year, in honour of Amani Liaquat, who died of a glioblastoma. Yasmin, Amani’s mum, said: “It’s always bittersweet to be here – obviously we’re here for a sad reason but, at the same time, we’re here for hope as well. Sadly, we lost our daughter to brain cancer after a battle with glioblastoma.
“Amani started the Walk of Hope in Luton in 2021, and we continue it in her memory. We hope one day there will be more effective treatments in the UK, and other families don’t have to lose a loved one like we had to. We walk in hope for that.”
In New Forest, Hampshire, Joanna Ainslie set out as part of a sea of pink. Having lost her husband to an oligodendroglioma in 2003, Jo said: “It was just so nice to meet so many fab people. I had a great day walking in memory of my husband Craig.”
They walked in hope with other supporters, including Louise and Gary Pearce, who tragically lost their nine-year-old son Thomas to a high-grade glioma last November. His mother, Louise, said: “Nothing prepares you for the grief, loss and total devastation. If Thomas had been diagnosed with another type of cancer, he might have had more hope.”
It is stories like Thomas’ that remind us why the Walk of Hope is so important – to bring patients and their loved ones hope of a desperately needed cure.
In Torpoint, Cornwall, in Mount Edgcumbe Country Park, supporters enjoyed the scenic coastal views across Plymouth Sound. Among them was Glenn Lilley, 73, who received a meningioma diagnosis in 2021. She said: “I’m not sure people realise brain tumours are the biggest cancer killer of children and adults under 40. I’ve had a wonderful life and feel very lucky, now I’m beating the drum for the young people living with this disease.”
Participants at the London Walk, held in Brockwell Park, were treated to a performance by Sing Like You Mean It, a community choir directed by music producer Andy Gilbert. They performed a medley of songs, including their rendition of Hold Back the River by James Bay, which they recorded as a charity single in aid of us this summer.
Our Ambassador and British Olympic medallist Sam Reardon, also addressed the crowd before they set off. He said: “Unfortunately, six years ago I lost my mum to a glioblastoma – when I was only 15. To be Ambassador to this amazing Charity that does so much to find a cure for this horrible disease, they’re so inspiring and pioneering, it’s really important for me and my family.”
He concluded with a phrase his mother, Marilyn, once said to him: “Good. Better. Best. Never let it rest, until your good is better and your better is best.”
Sam’s speech was followed by our CEO Dan Knowles, who said: “The difference that we make today is unparalleled. Last year, Brain Tumour Research invested £4 million in research. That’s the largest amount of money we’ve ever invested in research. And there are more than 200 researchers who dedicate their lives to finding a cure for brain tumours - and each year, that number of people rises.”
There were also countless DIY Walks organised independently by dedicated supporters, spreading our message of hope even further across the UK. From Hastings Seafront to Milton Keynes to Bishopsworth, which saw a walk organised by Steve Lewis in memory of Lee Parker. Steve, a close friend, said: "Lee was one of a kind, full of energy, and humour. Walking in his memory, with so many people who cared about him, was emotional but powerful. We were all proud to take those steps for him and to push for better outcomes for others."
Walk of Hope succeeded in raising vital awareness of brain tumours and the research funds needed to keep hope alive.
We are endlessly grateful to everyone who turned up, organised their own walks, donated, volunteered or otherwise contributed to an incredible national event.
Watch our round-up of the day here – and see if you can spot yourself!
It's never too late to pay in any funds raised, or to make a donation, and help ensure our Centres of Excellence can continue the game-changing research needed to find a cure.
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