Ealing Woman Cycling For Brain Tumour Cure

Nicola Whittock lost her husband Simon last year

An Ealing woman's raising funds for brain tumour research after losing her husband last year.

Super fit City worker Simon Whittock from Ealing Common, father of two teenage daughters, started suffering headaches after competing in the Mallorca Ironman race in May 2014.

His condition worsened and a full body scan confirmed he had a primary tumour, a glioblastoma multiforme.

Around 2,200 people are diagnosed with glioblastoma every year and it has an average survival time of 15 months.

Despite undergoing radiotherapy and intensive drug treatment Simon managed to take part in the 2015 Ealing Half Marathon and two months later even went on to run a sub 4 hour marathon. However another scan confirmed the tumour had returned and Simon deteriorated further.

He turned 50 in February 2016 and his family threw a large party to celebrate. He had set up a fundraising page for guests to donate to the Brain Tumour Research Campaign instead of buying him presents. Wife Nicola says:

''He gave an amazing speech that made people laugh and cry in equal measure and it showed that he hadn’t lost his dry sense of humour.''

Simon died on 19th May 2016 almost exactly a year after diagnosis.

Nicola says, '' Simon faced his dreadful illness head on with immense courage, dignity, positivity in the face of adversity.

''I feel cheated of my future and our daughters will grow up without their Dad. After he died the charity page Simon had set up for his birthday received many more donations and friends and former colleagues have also raised further funds in his memory.

''Almost a year on, I have decided to do the same and was lucky enough to receive a place in the ballot for Ride London - I have done a bit of cycling but nothing anywhere near a century ride.

''Simon liked a challenge so I will think of him when I am training and on the day.

“I sincerely hope that funds raised may help in some way to develop more effective treatments and ultimately a cure.“

Wendy Fulcher, Brain Tumour Research Campaign co-founder said: “The research at Charing Cross Hospital is directly focused on finding new treatments and better outcomes for patients, for whom the outlook is bleak. Research is expensive and we need more funds so we can invest more in brain tumour research to further understand them.”

Support Nicola who is raising funds at the Prudential Ride 30 July

25th July 2017