Off her head for Ed!

My name is Karen Radford, but I'm better known as 'Radders' to most. I am 58 years old and a Women's Royal Army Corps (WRAC) and Royal Army Medical Corps (RAMC), Combat Medical Technician veteran and retired Kent Police Officer.

I have been so lucky to have had a wonderful friend called Ed Smith in my life for many years, but in December 2024, Ed was diagnosed with three very aggressive Glioblastoma brain tumours, and after surgery in the new year, he and his family were told that these tumours would be untreatable. Sadly, on Sunday 13th July 2025 he left this world for a better place, and is no longer in pain.

Ed's wife, my close friend Kath, is also a WRAC veteran medic. She and their three children, Joe, Emma and Gareth are all in support of my plan to cycle the Brain Tumour Research 274 mile challenge in August, to raise money for Brain Tumour Research, The Not Forgotten Association, who support veterans living with injury, illness or isolation, and St Davids Hospice, Newport, where Ed was so well looked after in his final days. All of these worthy charities are close to their hearts and to Ed's.

The advertised challenge is to cycle and accumulate 274 miles throughout the month, but I have decided to take on the challenge head-on over four days, from 28th to 31st August, by cycling a 274 mile route from my home in Maidstone, Kent to Ed's old

rowing club in Llandaff, South Wales.

I am not a professional cyclist. I'm just someone who likes to get on a bike and pedal when she can, so this will be an interesting and challenging journey for me, with the support of friends to help me along the way.

I need to thank Scott Harrison, creator of the life changing Six Pack Revolution programme which has enabled me to achieve a level of fitness that will hopefully get me through this.

I'm sure that if cancer has touched your life, you have experienced the ups and downs of being a veteran, or maybe had the unenviable experience of someone you care about ending their days in a hospice, then you will understand why I want to support these charities on behalf of Ed's family.

Ed would have found this mission a totally mad thing to do, but not unexpected. He would also know that I will not let him down and get the job done.

If you are able to help me raise vital funds on this journey, Ed's family, the chosen Charities and I will be forever grateful. Thank you.