Hello, my name is Tom Devonport, and I’ll be running a 10k on the 24th of January 2026 to raise money for Brain Tumour Research.
As well as raising funds, I want to get as many people as possible to run this 10k—or even part of it—with me. Whether that’s running alongside me in Denver, CO, or running it at home in England and sharing it online, I just want to create a community around this fundraiser.
In February of this year, I got a call from my dad while I was in America—at 2am UK time. Wondering why he was awake, I answered, but what I didn’t expect was to see my dad and sister crying on the other end of the call. That’s when I was told the news that my mum had been diagnosed with a brain tumour.
We didn’t know all the details at the time, and doctors were doing many checks and tests to see how bad it was. Truth be told, I felt hopeless. I was halfway across the world and couldn’t even hug one of the most important people in my life.
After speaking with my mum in detail, she told me that she hadn’t been feeling herself for months before the diagnosis—but doctors never took her concerns seriously, often downplaying whatever they thought was wrong. It was only when she demanded a head scan that they found the tumour, as well as other masses.
As someone who speaks to my mum nearly every day—even from the US—I had no doubt that she would get through it. She’s the strongest person I know. Her first words to me after I found out were, “I’m going to beat this.” I couldn’t be more proud of how she’s handled everything and where she is today after all she’s been through.
Fast forward to now, and she is completely healthy. She’s even pushing herself beyond what she thought were her limits, setting new health and fitness goals.
I want to thank everyone who has helped my family and me get through this year—it has definitely been the hardest to deal with mentally, and I’m not sure where I’d be without the support of my friends and family.
All funds from this fundraiser will go directly to Brain Tumour Research, as it’s so important to learn as much as possible about brain tumours and how best to treat them.
Finally, I just want to say this: if you aren’t feeling right, trust your instincts. If you think something’s wrong—or even have a small feeling that something could be—do not take no for an answer at the hospital or doctor’s office. Demand to be taken seriously. It could genuinely be life-saving. Don’t wait until it’s too late.
Please share my mum’s story as we try to raise as much money as we can for this incredibly important cause.
Thank you.
