A family from mid Wales has raised an incredible £102,000 for The Brain Tumour Charity in a marathon fundraising feat – even before setting foot on the London Marathon course.
Family's Fundraising Journey
Gareth Davies and his daughters, Gwen and Elin, from Cefn Gorwydd in Powys, set out to raise £6,000 each in memory of wife and mum, Michelle, 58, who died in March last year following a brain cancer diagnosis. But donations have rocketed thanks to a series of individual events that led to extraordinary support from their local community.
A gala dinner for 570 people at the Royal Welsh Showground on January 31 raised £65,000 alone by bringing together rural communities from across Wales. It featured a raffle, promise auction, guest speaker and live music. Local organisations and friends within the community have also organised events to support the family’s fundraising.
The Marathon Challenge
When they take on the iconic 26.2-mile route together, it will be Gareth’s second London Marathon – he previously ran it 10 years ago – and Elin’s second marathon too, as she completed the Amsterdam Marathon in 2023. For Gwen it will be double the furthest distance she’s ever run. But they are all keen runners, and Michelle would always support them.
Elin, 26, said: “We used to joke that mum had to be the bag carrier – waiting in the cold and rain with a packed lunch – but we knew she absolutely loved it and would never miss any of our races. She’d always be on the sidelines, and she’d love the fact that we’re doing it together.”
Why The Brain Tumour Charity?
Asked why they’d chosen to support The Brain Tumour Charity, Gareth, 62, said: “Michelle faced her diagnosis with remarkable positivity and determination. After the initial shock, we didn’t know where to turn, but The Brain Tumour Charity was exceptional in explaining our options and supporting us through an incredibly difficult time. “As a result, we just felt we were doing everything we possibly could for Michelle. She did too, and she took part in fundraising events for the charity, which brought in about £20,000. Her god-daughter was also diagnosed with a brain tumour the week after she died, and the charity has supported her, so we want to help the families of the future too. We are hugely grateful to everyone who has supported us in our fundraising efforts so far.”
Michelle's Battle
Michelle started experiencing seizures in the spring of 2023. After extensive tests and a biopsy, she was diagnosed with a glioblastoma, an aggressive brain cancer, in February 2024 and began treatment at the Velindre Cancer Centre in Cardiff. She also had hyperthermia therapy at the Wellbeck Centre in London and outlived her prognosis of nine months.
Gwen, 27, said: “We were grateful for the additional time we had with mum, even though nothing will ever prepare you to lose someone you love. I don’t think I would be running the London Marathon if it wasn’t for something so special. We’ve been doing quite a lot of training and Dad and Els keep me going! Research into brain cancer is severely underfunded, and survival rates are low, so we’re hoping the money raised will make a significant difference to people living with brain tumours and their families.”
Around 40 members of their family, as well as friends and supporters, are planning to head to London to cheer on the Davieses. Donations can be made via the family’s JustGiving page.
Charity Response
Clare Horwood, Director of Fundraising at The Brain Tumour Charity, said: “We are in awe of and extremely grateful for both the Davies family’s fundraising and physical efforts. Survival rates for brain tumours have not improved in decades and the money they and all our marathon runners raise will enable us to continue funding pioneering research to help us move closed to a future where brain tumours no longer destroy lives.”
