Good luck to brave Jesse, and a Happy New Year to all!

Brain Tumour Research

2 min read

On Saturday 4^th, a Brain Tumour Research supporter will be running through Norwegian ice and snow to raise vital research funds.

Jesse Walklin, 31, from Islington, has taken on the PolarNight Half Marathon right at the start of the year in memory of his mum, Caroline, who died five months ago, aged 61, from an oligodendroglioma. He will face snow and icy terrain along the 13-mile route in Tromsø, a Northern municipality on the coast of the Norwegian Sea where there is minimal sunlight in winter.

Joining Jesse in temperatures that can reach -10°C are colleagues Craig Duncan, Freya Bull and Mike Jones (below right). Having previously ran the TCS London Marathon for Brain Tumour Research – complete with full brain costume (below left) – raising £25,000 for the Charity, the recruitment director said: “Mum saw pictures and videos of me running London, but this time I won’t be able to go home and show her what we achieved after this race. I never knew about brain tumours before my mum was diagnosed with one. You don’t think about them until you must.”

Jesse explained: “Preparing for this challenge has been a little different. I’ve bought cleats for my trainers and have lots of layers to wear during the race. There’s no easy way to train for this type of run; it’s been more about exposing myself to the cold little and often.”

Jesse’s brave and tireless commitment to our shared mission is an inspiration to all of us at the start of 2025. We wish him the best of luck through the ice and snow, and thank him for his incredible support. We would also like to extend our thanks to every single one of you, our incredible supporters – 2024 was a momentous year for our Charity and our cause, and that was all down to you.

The New Year is already off to an incredible start, with preparations across the country for our annual 10,000 Steps a Day in February challenge, and we hope to make this year our biggest yet.

We would like to wish you all a peaceful New Year and look forward to working together to make 2025 the year we get closer than ever before to finding a cure for all types of brain tumours.

You can donate to us via Jesse’s JustGiving page here.