A Bucks-based MP is aiming to run 10km 10 times in different parts of his constituency to raise money for Brain Tumour Research.
Greg Smith, who is the MP for Buckingham, will attempt the 10 for 10 challenge which has been initiated by pensions minister and brain tumour survivor Guy Opperman this spring.
On April 26, 2011, Mr Opperman, who is the MP for Hexham, collapsed in Parliament and was diagnosed with a low-grade brain tumour and underwent surgery just a few hours later.
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Since then, the minister has not experienced any regrowth of the tumour.
Mr Smith said: “A number of other families in my constituency have been similarly affected by brain tumours so raising funds for Brain Tumour Research through the 10 for 10 seemed like a great thing to do.
“I was shocked to learn that brain tumours have been so neglected when it comes to research and believe we need to narrow that gap.
A screenshot from Greg's JustGiving page
“I haven’t done any running for about eight years so my earlier 10ks will definitely be a mix of walking and jogging, but I am hoping that I can build up to at least running the whole of the last 10k.
“I hope people will feel inspired to donate to my fundraising page for this worthy cause.”
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The MP’s target is to reach £500 for the charity Brain Tumour Research and so far, he is currently on £420 according to his Just Giving page.
Sue Farrington Smith MBE, said: “I am very grateful to Greg for choosing to support Brain Tumour Research and for helping to raise awareness.
“It’s an exciting time with our campaigning at Westminster for greater parity of research funding with other cancers.
“More than 110,000 people have now signed our petition calling for an annual investment of £35 million into brain tumour research.
“Our vision is to find a cure and bring hope to the thousands of families affected by a brain tumour diagnosis each year.”
Brain tumours kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer yet historically, just one per cent of the national spend on cancer research has been allocated to this devastating disease.
To donate, visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/gregsmithmp.
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