A 20-year-old York University student has completed an 872-mile run from John O’Groats to Land’s End, finishing at midday on Saturday 18th July. The challenge was undertaken to shine a national spotlight on the chronic underfunding of brain tumour research.
Rafe Colman-Chadwick set out on 5th June, determined to honour the memory of his father, Damian, who died from a brain tumour when Rafe was just 12 years old. Over the course of the six-week journey, he battled through tonsillitis, infected insect bites, and a painful knee injury, refusing to let illness or injury stop him from reaching Land’s End.
Despite brain tumours killing more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer, just 1% of the national spend on cancer research is allocated to the disease. The charity Brain Tumour Research is calling on the Government to commit £35 million per year to brain tumour research to help improve survival rates and patient outcomes, bringing investment more in line with other cancers.
Crossing the finish line at Land’s End, Rafe completed all 872 miles supported by family, friends, and thousands of people who followed his journey online.
Rafe said: “This run has always been about much more than reaching Land’s End. It’s about my dad and every family whose lives have been devastated by a brain tumour.”
He added: “There were days when my body was telling me to stop, but I kept thinking about why I started. Giving up was never an option for me.
“If my challenge helps even one more family by raising awareness, funding more research and encouraging people to demand change, then every mile has been worth it.”
Alfie Boe, patron of Brain Tumour Research, who also lost his father to a brain tumour, praised the achievement.
He said: “He’s an incredibly inspirational young man whose determination and courage are remarkable. Losing his father to a brain tumour at just 12 years old is something no child should have to experience, yet he’s turned that heartbreak into a challenge that will make a real difference for others.”
He added: “Everyone at Brain Tumour Research is grateful for the commitment and strength he’s shown in taking on this extraordinary challenge. I hope Rafe’s story inspires others to support the charity’s work and help fund the research that patients and families so desperately need.”
Throughout the challenge, Rafe shared updates via social media, documenting the physical and emotional highs and lows of running the length of Britain. Now that he has reached the finish line, he hopes the conversation surrounding funding will continue. He is urging the public to support Brain Tumour Research’s campaign for fairer funding, with donations still being accepted through his official JustGiving page.
