A BRAVE fundraiser is set to run this year's London Marathon to raise money for the Brain Appeal charity, after surviving a brain tumour himself.

Mark Hull, of Burnham, is the director of wine merchants Wine Net. He was diagnosed with a brain tumour, aged just 24.

Mark was fit and healthy at the time, but spent the next few years in and out of the National Neurological Hospital, in Queen's Square, London.

Luckily, the tumour was not cancerous, but extensive, critical surgery was needed to remove it.

On his road to recovery, he spent some time in a wheelchair, as well as having extensive physiotherapy.

Mark’s brother is an accountant for the NHS, and said brain surgery, alongside subsequent follow-up operations and physiotherapy, amounts to an expensive bill.

Mark is now aiming to raise a minimum of £3,000 for the Brain Appeal, a charity which raises funds to advance treatment and research into brain disorders, such as epilepsy, tumours and dementia.

He hopes to complete the 26.2 mile run on Sunday, October 2, to raise vital funds for the charity.

Mark said: “With what I’ve been through, I don’t think I have been left well-tailored for running. I have enjoyed the journey in some respects, but it has been difficult.

“Everything hurts. I’ve tried everything from ice baths and sports massage to a massage gun, to eating properly and hydrating properly - I'm just in agony after every long run.

“I’ve joined a local running club. Some guys with good experience have given me advice on how to train and how to go about it.

“I’ve always wanted to run a marathon. After I had the tumour, I thought it was something I could never do.

"I gradually got into running. It was my wife’s idea and now it's slowly becoming a reality.

“I think you’ve got to start small in terms of training and goals, but really get committed and get stuck in. You’ve just got to get out there and do it.”

Donations can be made via his Just Giving page, at bit.ly/3SeCIVG.