AN 81-year-old Maldon man has completed a 150-mile 'Brain Tumour Challenge' in memory of his son and former wife who died of the disease within months of each other.

Keith Simon's ex-wife and lifelong friend, 77-year-old Susan, and their son Paul, 42, were diagnosed within 48 hours of each other with the same type of brain cancer, glioblastoma. Both suffered a rapid deterioration with this highly aggressive cancer, and died within 11 weeks of each other in 2018.

Paul's widow, Sarah Fitzgerald-Simons, set up the Paul Simons Fund to raise money for The Brain Tumour Charity, which has set up a 'Conquer the Challenge' event to raise awareness, and in April Keith set out to complete his 150-mile target challenge.

To donate to the fund go to The Brain Tumour Charity website using the link here.

In spite of having to use a Captain Tom-style walker, Keith's personal target was 62 miles in excess of the 88-mile target (aimed at cyclists) recommended by the charity.

Keith explained that he followed a circuit over the three months period.

"It was actually slightly less than a mile, so I had to do 177 circuits," he said.

"People started to recognise me as I did the circuit, and eventually the children of All Saints School turned out to cheer me on, which thrilled me. The school also raised funds for the challenge."

advertisement

Keith paid tribute to the many people and organisations that have supported him and his family, including the Queen Victoria pub in Spital Road, Maldon, which hosted a buffet to celebrate his completion of the walk.

Keith has raised more than £6,600, with money still coming in - and the Paul Simons Fund to which this contributes has raised nearly £27,000.

Though Keith will be taking a well-earned rest, the challenge hasn't ended there for the family. Daughter-in-law Sarah continues her fund-raising, with the London Marathon in October. She also did the Virtual New York Marathon earlier this year, an experience that she found very challenging without a real circuit to run.

Keith, daughter Nikki and Paul's widow Sarah are all passionate about raising awareness of this devastating cancer which hit their family with such impact.

"Less than two per cent of cancer research funding goes to brain cancers," explained Sarah.