A woman from Derbyshire has taken on three marathons in three different countries to raise funds in support of a brain tumour patient she had never met previously.
Phoebe Collier, 25, from Duffield, completed her extraordinary mission to run three marathons across three countries in just six weeks on Sunday (1st December), in Turin, Italy. Raising money for Brain Tumour Research, Phoebe took on the challenge in honour of Jessie Mae Lambert, a brain tumour patient who she was made aware of through a mutual friend, Lauren Archer.
Jessie, 27, from Nottingham, was diagnosed with a grade 2 astrocytoma in April 2024 after doctors initially misdiagnosed her seizures as panic attacks. She underwent surgery in August to remove 40% of the tumour; it is being monitored whilst she undergoes radiotherapy.
She said: "It’s overwhelming to know the tumour will stay in my head, but I stay positive with regular scans. I was stunned when I heard Phoebe, a friend of Lauren’s, was running marathons for Brain Tumour Research in my name.
“It was such a kind gesture, and I couldn’t wait to meet Phoebe and cheer her on at the finish line in Turin."
Phoebe (left) and Jessie (right) meeting in Turin
Phoebe completed her first marathon in Portugal, and her second in the Netherlands. She said: “Lauren often spoke about Jessie’s struggles with a brain tumour. It’s so incredible how she handles the impact of this disease, and I couldn’t help but see myself in her shoes as we’re around the same age.
“A disease like breast cancer, which my mum had, receives more funds and research, so more people are aware of it and the survival rate is higher. Brain tumours don’t have that, so I want to do my part in supporting this important cause.
“It sounds silly but, when I felt fatigued, I would think of Jessie and the struggles she’s faced. That and the wider picture of what Brain Tumour Research is trying to achieve helped me to dig deep.”
You can still support Phoebe by donating to us through her JustGiving page. Why not consider organising your own fundraiser to make a difference your own way?
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Published Wednesday 4th December 2024.