Tilly and her family witnessed first-hand the often brutal chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatments that she went through before she sadly died five years ago.

Now determined to make a difference by supporting the work The Brain Tumour Charity does, her months of arduous running training are finally paying off.

Tilly said, “During the dry heaving and ankle bruising, I keep going with the thought of anyone suffering through brain tumours and cancer. I have seen first-hand the devastation that chemo and radiotherapy does, the strength that it takes to carry on day-to-day, the worry of the future.

“I know if my mum and the thousands of people suffering cancer can find the strength to make it through their journey, I can make it through these 26 miles.”

Tilly is a procurement specialist for Dorset-based Ebit Business Solutions. Ebit have nominated The Brain Tumour Charity as their charity partner of the year.

Tilly now faces one of the biggest challenges of her life. “I applied via ballot to the Virgin London Marathon last year and didn’t get through – though I feigned disappointment I will admit I was slightly relieved to not have to put myself through the paces!

“However, when The Brain Tumour Charity, a fantastic charity, emailed our office to say they had some spaces for the marathon to run for them, it seemed like fate, and so welcomed the start of my running journey.

“A dedicated gym goer though never into running, I thought this training would be fairly easy for me. It’s been anything but. It doesn’t help that without doubt every weekly ‘long’ run I’ve done it never fails to pour it down…

“I’m raising money for The Brain Tumour Charity because I would love to see that number of 1,000s of people affected by brain tumours reduced to just 10s. All of the donations will fund research in how to combat brain tumours, how to better treat them, and to support those affected by this awful disease. Brain tumours are the largest killer of children and adults under 40 – I’m hoping the money I’m raising for them will make difference to that number.”

Geraldine Pipping, The Brain Tumour Charity’s director of fundraising, said, “Tilly is an absolute star… Her determination taking her through this winter months with the hours of intense training and setting her sights on the London Marathon are an inspiration to so many others.

“Every year, 11,000 people are diagnosed with a brain tumour – that’s 30 a day – and our five-year research strategy ‘A Cure Can’t Wait’ aims to double survival within 10 years and halve the harm caused by brain tumours on quality of life.”

“We receive no government funding and rely 100% on voluntary donations and gifts in Wills, so it’s only through the efforts of those such as Tilly, and all her family and friends, and of course our partnership with Ebit, that we can work towards our twin goals of doubling survival and halving the harm caused by brain tumours.”