Robin Hood Half Marathon raises more than £60,000

Thousands of runners gathered in Nottingham on Sunday 27th September to take on the Robin Hood Half Marathon. More than 100 of those inspiring individuals ran for Brain Tumour Research, raising more than £60,000 to help find a cure for brain tumours.  

As headline partner for this event, we want to thank each person who committed to training and gave up their weekends for this half marathon. Your efforts have brought hope to the one in three people who knows someone affected by a brain tumour. 

Para-athlete, World Record holder and Ambassador for Brain Tumour Research, Anthony Bryan started the race, completing his 13.1 miles running alongside our Trustee Jack Goodwin. Diagnosed with an astrocytoma at the age of six in 1996, Anthony has no peripheral vision in his left eye and relies almost entirely on the right side of his body – the life-changing effects of complications following treatment. Despite this, he has gone on to overcome countless challenges over the years. As Ambassador, he is committed to raising awareness and money to help find new treatments for brain tumours. 

Anthony and Jack with their medals

For glioblastoma patient Verity Phillips, it was a meaningful moment to be back in the East Midlands city after she raised more than £7,000 to help launch our Brain Tumour Research Centre of Excellence at the University of Nottingham. The Centre launched in January and is dedicated to improving the understanding and treatment of glioblastoma. 

After being told she may have only 12 to 18 months to live following her diagnosis in 2022, Verity underwent two brain surgeries followed by radiotherapy and chemotherapy. She’s beaten all odds by outliving her prognosis and continues to take part in our challenges to raise awareness. 

Verity with her husband Daniel

Running in memory of Zaim Hysa who passed away just eight months after his diagnosis in 2019, his sons Edison, Lulzim and Ismet, grandson Klodian, and nephew Elton came together to do something positive. 

“I'm doing this for Dad. I couldn't help him but at least I'm doing something for others facing this diagnosis. I hope a cure is found so other people don't experience what we’ve experienced. Brain tumours destroy people and their families. When I looked at Dad each day, he was just suffering and suffering. I want to raise as much money as I can to do something positive,” said Edison. 

Jane Hull, 56, from Leicestershire, was shocked to discover she had a brain tumour, after dismissing hearing loss and balance problems as signs of aging and menopause.  

She underwent surgery at Queen’s Medical Centre in Nottingham in September 2024 to remove a 3cm acoustic neuroma.  

Not only did Jane cross the finish line to collect her well-earned medal, she raised more than £700 in the process! She said: “My life is a bit different now and there are still daily challenges. I have to work much harder to hear conversations, busy places can be overwhelming and my balance isn't what it used to be. But I’m incredibly proud that I kept going. I've returned to work, completed the London Marathon and become fitter and stronger than I've ever been. If anything, this experience has shown me how resilient people can be.” 

Jane with her half marathon and Brain Tumour Research medals 

Nine-year-old Haisam Raja braved the 1.5-mile Robin Hood Mini Marathon along the Victoria Embankment in Nottingham with eight of his school friends. Having undergone treatment, including surgery, chemotherapy and proton beam therapy, following his brain tumour diagnosis in April 2023, Haisam is doing well.  

He said: “I wanted to do the Mini Marathon to help raise money for Brain Tumour Research, so doctors can find better treatments and help other children like me. 

“I think it’s really kind of my friends to join me and shows that they care about me and want to help make a difference to other children who have been through what I have. I have the best friends ever.” 

Haisam (back row, second from left) with his friends 

And we were especially proud of our Director of Research and Policy, Dr Karen Noble, who took a trip down memory lane as she crossed the finish line. 

“I did my undergraduate degree in Nottingham and have many fond memories of the city that set me up for the rest of my life. It feels like I went as a girl and left as a woman, now coming back full circle for this half marathon and creating awareness of a charity I’m proud to work for. On a more personal note, I’m motivated by the memory of my sister-in-law Karen who died of a glioblastoma in 2011, within months of her diagnosis, aged 47. Knowing that fundraising could enable more research into innovative treatments gives me a sense of comfort,” said Karen. 

Karen