Man preparing for “most challenging” fundraiser yet

Brain Tumour Research

2 min read

A man is getting ready to take on his fifth fundraiser for Brain Tumour Research inspired by his friend who lost his life to the disease.

James ‘Pud’ Pullen (pictured below) was just 22 years old when he was diagnosed with a brain tumour after suffering from a series of seizures. He underwent surgery, as well as radiotherapy and chemotherapy, but died in 2015, at the age of 28.

James Pullen died after being diagnosed with a brain tumour.

One of James’ closest friends, Thomas Palacio (pictured top), is getting ready to embark on another ambitious fundraising challenge which will see him run 126 miles from our Centre of Excellence at the University of Plymouth to Wells Town Hall. He’s hoping to go the distance in just three days.

It’s the latest in a series of impressive fundraising runs Thomas has taken on since his first marathon, which he ran in 2020. In 2021 he ran 10 miles a day for nine days, before finishing with a marathon on the tenth. The following year he ran 50 miles in a single day, and last year he ran three marathons in consecutive days.

So far, Thomas has raised more than £10,000. The day before he embarks on his latest adventure, Thomas and friends, Tommy Corns, Lewis Smith and Jake Smith, will place four tiles in James’ honour on the Wall of Hope at our Plymouth Centre representing the days of research his fundraising has sponsored.

Thomas said: “The Plymouth Centre has become a really significant place for us all, and it seems only right to place our tiles in Pud’s memory before the challenge begins.

“Every fundraiser I’ve done has been difficult in some way, but this is going to be the most challenging yet. I’m getting used to long distances now but we’re going to be running an average of 42 miles a day, so it’s definitely going to be gruelling!”

And he’s not planning on stopping any time soon. Thomas added: “Pud would probably call us stupid for attempting it, he’d be chuckling to himself for sure. But I want to keep doing something for him every year to keep his memory alive, and keep fighting back against this awful disease.”

To support Thomas’ fundraising, please donate via his JustGiving page by clicking here.