Hackney half for the Oli Hilsdon Foundation
Donation protected
Hi all,
-Update- Unfortunately the injury bug has not been kind to our team, we have had some pull outs and a lot of missed training but are still hoping to put in a great showing on the day, thank you all so much for your support!
In May we will be attempting to run (jog/ walk/ crawl) the Hackney half to raise funds in memorial of a dearly departed son, brother, husband and friend who sadly succumbed to his well-fought battle with an extremely aggressive brain tumour in January of this year. Funds will be donated to the Oli Hilsdon Foundation (recently awarded registered charity status) which is being set up by his beloved wife Gigi Perry- Hilsdon and sister Emily Hilsdon with friends. The foundation will fund research into brain tumours and cutting edge treatments to prevent other families suffering such a devastating loss.
Oli Hilsdon was our very dear friend and a truly exceptional young man, he was wildly popular and had worked so hard his entire life leading him to excel through school, turn heads through Cambridge university and land his dream job working in private equity in London. Moreover, he met the woman of his dreams and somehow duped her into a relationship. He truly had so very much to live for, and he loved life and those around him so very much.
Sadly in August of 2014 Oli collapsed in a tube station stairwell which was the first sign of his glioblastoma leading doctors to believe he had approximately 9 months to live. Thanks to Oli’s blinding fighting spirit, can-do mindset, incredible support base and their generous donations, Oli was able to get the private treatment he needed to battle his tumour into remission- a truly exceptional feat.
With a new lease on life Oli went back to work, travelled the world, spent time with loved ones and while still recovering from his own illness and gruelling treatment, began training to run the London marathon to raise funds for brain tumour research. Most importantly in this time, he resolved to make the love of his life his wife. Oli would go on to complete the London marathon in less than four hours raising £60,000 to fund brain tumour research. He is truly an inspiration to all those who knew and loved him.
Unfortunately it was not to last, Oli’s tumour reappeared much sooner than anticipated. Always fighting to stay with those that loved him so much, Oli underwent several major surgeries and treatments. He never once complained or asked ‘why me?’ and would always be there to support his loved ones through his ordeal. He and his then-fiancé expedited their wedding, putting a wonderful euphoric smile on his face and making him the happiest we have ever seen him. Shortly thereafter, peaceful and surrounded by his loved ones, he went to rest, just before his twenty-seventh birthday. 'I'm so lucky, i have such a wonderful life'- Oliver Patrick Hilsdon
Any support you can give will be extremely appreciated by our team, Gigi, and Oli’s wonderful family, thank you all (and pray for us).
Many thanks,
Dom, Sam, Jolyon and friends
A brief note on Oli’s story in his own words in 2015-
https://www.braintumourresearch.org/stories/in-hope/in-hope-stories/oli-hilsdon?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI7ca7xI6x4AIVip3tCh15jQdCEAAYASAAEgLnFfD_BwE
https://www.olihilsdonfoundation.org/ (coming soon)
@olihilsdonfoundation -search on facebook
https://www.instagram.com/olihilsdonfoundation/
-Update- Unfortunately the injury bug has not been kind to our team, we have had some pull outs and a lot of missed training but are still hoping to put in a great showing on the day, thank you all so much for your support!
In May we will be attempting to run (jog/ walk/ crawl) the Hackney half to raise funds in memorial of a dearly departed son, brother, husband and friend who sadly succumbed to his well-fought battle with an extremely aggressive brain tumour in January of this year. Funds will be donated to the Oli Hilsdon Foundation (recently awarded registered charity status) which is being set up by his beloved wife Gigi Perry- Hilsdon and sister Emily Hilsdon with friends. The foundation will fund research into brain tumours and cutting edge treatments to prevent other families suffering such a devastating loss.
Oli Hilsdon was our very dear friend and a truly exceptional young man, he was wildly popular and had worked so hard his entire life leading him to excel through school, turn heads through Cambridge university and land his dream job working in private equity in London. Moreover, he met the woman of his dreams and somehow duped her into a relationship. He truly had so very much to live for, and he loved life and those around him so very much.
Sadly in August of 2014 Oli collapsed in a tube station stairwell which was the first sign of his glioblastoma leading doctors to believe he had approximately 9 months to live. Thanks to Oli’s blinding fighting spirit, can-do mindset, incredible support base and their generous donations, Oli was able to get the private treatment he needed to battle his tumour into remission- a truly exceptional feat.
With a new lease on life Oli went back to work, travelled the world, spent time with loved ones and while still recovering from his own illness and gruelling treatment, began training to run the London marathon to raise funds for brain tumour research. Most importantly in this time, he resolved to make the love of his life his wife. Oli would go on to complete the London marathon in less than four hours raising £60,000 to fund brain tumour research. He is truly an inspiration to all those who knew and loved him.
Unfortunately it was not to last, Oli’s tumour reappeared much sooner than anticipated. Always fighting to stay with those that loved him so much, Oli underwent several major surgeries and treatments. He never once complained or asked ‘why me?’ and would always be there to support his loved ones through his ordeal. He and his then-fiancé expedited their wedding, putting a wonderful euphoric smile on his face and making him the happiest we have ever seen him. Shortly thereafter, peaceful and surrounded by his loved ones, he went to rest, just before his twenty-seventh birthday. 'I'm so lucky, i have such a wonderful life'- Oliver Patrick Hilsdon
Any support you can give will be extremely appreciated by our team, Gigi, and Oli’s wonderful family, thank you all (and pray for us).
Many thanks,
Dom, Sam, Jolyon and friends
A brief note on Oli’s story in his own words in 2015-
https://www.braintumourresearch.org/stories/in-hope/in-hope-stories/oli-hilsdon?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI7ca7xI6x4AIVip3tCh15jQdCEAAYASAAEgLnFfD_BwE
https://www.olihilsdonfoundation.org/ (coming soon)
@olihilsdonfoundation -search on facebook
https://www.instagram.com/olihilsdonfoundation/
Organizer
Dom Marven
Organizer
