A Croydon man who lost his mum to an aggressive brain tumour is running the London marathon in support of a charity fighting the disease.

Christine Scott died in May 2018, leaving behind her husband, five children and baby granddaughter.

Son Matthew, 26, is aiming to raise £3,000 to help the Brain Tumour Research charity find a cure for the disease, which kills more children and adults aged under 40 than any other cancer.

Matthew, who works as an Account Director at IPG Media Brands, said: “The London Marathon is going to be a huge challenge but running to raise money and awareness for Brain Tumour Research will help me cross that finish line.

"I want to do what little I can to help prevent others from going through the same so, if you can, please donate and help me reach my target.”

Christine, a community and family worker who lived in Croydon for more than 30 years, was diagnosed with a low-grade oligodendroglioma in 2011.

Her prognosis was good, and despite epilepsy she continued with a normal life. However after five years the tumour became aggressive, and despite efforts to save her through surgery and treatment she died in 2018.

Her second youngest child Matthew will join tens of thousands of runners pounding the streets of the capital at Virgin Money London Marathon, the world’s most famous running event, on Sunday April 28 2019.

Janice Wright, community fundraising manager for Brain Tumour Research in London, said: “We’re extremely grateful for Matthew’s support and thank him for sharing his mum’s story to raise awareness. We hope others will be inspired by him and help us fund the fight against brain tumours.

“For too long brain tumours have been a neglected cancer. Despite being the biggest cancer killer of under 40s, historically just 1% of the national spend on cancer research has been allocated to this devastating disease, and we’re proud to be changing this.”

Brain Tumour Research funds sustainable research at dedicated centres of excellence across the UK.

It also campaigns for the Government and larger cancer charities to invest more in research into brain tumours to speed up new treatments for patients and, ultimately, to find a cure.

The charity is calling for an annual spend of £35m in order to improve survival rates and patient outcomes in line with other cancers such as breast cancer and leukaemia.

To make a donation to Brain Tumour Research via Matthew’s JustGiving page: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Matthew-Scott8