Record-Breaking Twilight Walk Raises £300,000 for Brain Tumour Research
A remarkable £300,000 has been raised so far from Saturday's Twilight Walk event, where 1,300 participants strode through London's iconic Royal Parks to support loved ones and fund critical brain tumour research. This flagship annual fundraiser for The Brain Tumour Charity saw walkers donning red charity tops as they embarked on 5km or 10km routes under sunny skies.
Event Highlights and Community Spirit
The atmosphere was electric as fitness influencer Rod Buchanan, a brain tumour survivor himself, led a warm-up before participants set off in three waves. Entertainment along the routes included stilt walkers, a magician, the vibrant VooDoo Brass Band, and the harmonious Some Voices Choir. Charity partners Jude’s Ice Cream, RE:WATER, and Benugo provided refreshments, keeping walkers nourished throughout the event.
Launched in 2013, The Twilight Walk has now raised an impressive £3.6 million to date. This March event coincides with Brain Tumour Awareness Month and supports the largest global funder of primary brain tumour research. Alongside the London walk, 415 community walks across the UK throughout March are contributing additional donations.
Personal Stories of Courage and Support
The largest team consisted of 70 people and a dog named Toffee, walking in memory of eight-year-old Emily Smith from St Albans, who tragically passed away just 11 days after her diagnosis in 2022. Her father, Andy Smith, is also running the TCS London Marathon for the charity.
Mark and Angela Edmondson-Jones from Oakham raised over £3,000 following Mark's glioblastoma diagnosis last May. As a cancer statistician, Mark is acutely aware that brain tumours are the biggest cancer killer of people under 40 in the UK. He described the charity's support as "invaluable."
Chris Fowke completed his second Twilight Walk since his diagnosis, managing the full 10km with his daughter Kim from Aldershot. Tracey Freitas Smith from Maidstone walked with her husband Graham after her December 2025 diagnosis with a Grade 2 meningioma, discovered incidentally following a fall at a train station.
"The Brain Tumour Charity provided immense support during this challenging time," Tracey said. "I had numerous calls with them prior to my surgery, and I cannot thank them enough. Now, it’s my time to give back."
Leadership and Future Campaigns
In a speech to participants and volunteers, Chief Executive Dr Michele Afif emphasized: "The Twilight Walk is so much more than just a walk. It’s a symbol of hope. It’s a declaration that we will never stop standing up for the people we love."
Outgoing chair of trustees Jack Morris, CBE, who first participated in 2017 in memory of his daughter Emily, awarded medals to walkers. He reflected: "Through doing the walk, I felt so keenly that together we are stronger... being part of it gave me a way of creating something positive from something so awful."
The charity continues to campaign for a National Brain Tumour Strategy to improve diagnosis while offering comprehensive support services for anyone affected by brain tumours.
