A retired Commonwealth swimmer from Hertfordshire, whose brain tumour was misdiagnosed as an ear infection, has inspired her daughter’s fundraising to increase awareness of the disease.
Isobel Manna, 26, ran 83.7km across hilly terrain as high as 2,300m during the Jurassic Coast Challenge on Saturday 17ᵗʰ May, raising money for Brain Tumour Research.
Isobel, a mental health support worker, said: “It was fantastic, but very different to running on the street. I had planned to do the 100km distance, but had to withdraw as I lost body heat and it would’ve been too dangerous to continue.”
Isobel was inspired by her mum Cate Jackson, a former Commonwealth swimmer for Guernsey in the 1980s (pictured above left), who went on to swim for Great Britain at international level. The 60-year-old was told her headaches, fatigue and trouble balancing were caused by labyrinthitis, a type of ear infection. When antibiotics made no difference, an MRI scan in March 2023 revealed a meningioma brain tumour.
Following surgery and radiotherapy, Isobel said of her mum (pictured together above): “She has some trouble with her cognitive processing but is living life as normal. Mum’s brain tumour could be treated, but I know for some people this isn’t the case. Brain Tumour Research is a cause I want to support so that more life-saving research can be carried out.
“I’m so proud of myself for how far I ran, especially with the steep hills and drops. Mum is pleased of what I achieved and said I did great, which felt really reassuring.”
You can still donate to Brain Tumour Research through Isobel’s fundraiser, which has raised more than £1,000 for a cure.
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