A gin maker from Buckinghamshire is currently training for a marathon after being inspired by two young loved ones who were diagnosed with brain tumours.
Gus Derry, from Great Horwood, is a joint owner of Bucks Brothers Gin in Little Horwood and will be running the TCS London Marathon on April 23 in aid of the charity Brain Tumour Research.
The 25-year-old’s inspiration comes from his cousin Oscar Long and Gary Oates, who is his godbrother, being the godson of Gus' parents.
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Oscar, six, from Winslow, died in November 2002, two weeks after being diagnosed with an incurable and untreatable diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG).
Gary, from Stowmarket in Suffolk, was diagnosed with an ependymoma around the same time as Oscar.
He underwent surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy after which he suffered from impaired motor functions.
The 33-year-old underwent further surgery last year after being diagnosed with a second brain tumour. He had to learn to read, walk and talk again but is now doing much better.
Gus, who also works as a window fitter, said: “It’s one thing running for Brain Tumour Research and knowing someone who’s died from the disease but it’s another knowing someone who’s been on the rehabilitation side of things and who knows what the funding does.
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“Oscar didn’t make it but Gary has and that’s because of the money that’s been raised over the years for research.
“At the moment training’s going well, I ran five miles in the cold before work this morning.
"They are dark and grim but there’s a reason I’m doing them.
"There’s a reason we support Brain Tumour Research – those people who aren’t here anymore give you a kick up the backside and that definitely helps.”
Gus has previously taken part in eight half marathons, two half Ironman events and several triathlons but this will be his first marathon.
He is aiming to complete it in less than three hours and 30 minutes.
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