Marbury Park woodland walk is on October 28

Nathan Blundell, 37, is part of a walking group from Northwich taking part in a charity walk at Marbury Park in a bid to raise £500.

The eight-kilometre woodland walk on October 28 is raising money for The Brain Tumour Charity, which is close to Nathan’s heart and others taking part.

Father of two Nathan was diagnosed with a brain tumour known as an anaplastic astrocytoma almost five years ago. He underwent radiotherapy and is currently doing well.

Joining Nathan on the woodland walk will be Becky Astbury, 31, whose husband Craig died from a brain tumour in 2015, and she wanted to keep his memory alive by taking part in the walk.

Nathan said: “Since I was diagnosed with a brain tumour me, my family and friends have supported The Brain Tumour Charity.

“My parents have taken part in The Chester Twilight Walk for the past five years and I have been to the last three.”

Becky said: “A lot of our friends are suffering with brain tumours and we would like to do everything we can to raise awareness and fund more research.

“There was always someone to speak to at The Brain Tumour Charity, going to The Twilight Walk in Chester made me feel I was part of something and I’m excited to take part this year as I feel I’m doing something to help.”

Darren Astbury, 39, Becky’s brother and Craig’s best friend said: “The Brain Tumour Charity was such a comfort after Craig died, and raising awareness of brain tumours and getting it out there feels good.”

Nathan added: “This year my friends and I were unable to join The Brain Tumour Charity Main Walks, but we still wanted to do something to raise funds for much-needed research.

“So we decided to hold our ‘Own Walk’ and get as many people as possible to take part - we have people joining from Manchester, Liverpool and Chester.

“A lot of people in the area are affected by a brain tumour, and we recently found out about someone who has been newly diagnosed.

“It’s been great fun to organise and everyone gets on well. We’re all part of the same team and everything is coming together.

“We would like as many adults and children from Northwich and surrounding areas to take part in this 8k walk to help raise awareness and money to find a cure.

“We’d like to plan another walk next year and make it even bigger.”

The Twilight Walk is a unique 10K walk organised by The Brain Tumour Charity, and this year’s ‘Main Walks’ will take place in Windsor, Edinburgh and Warwick.

The walks aim to unite all those affected by a brain tumour, to celebrate loved ones, to raise money and to help on the path towards finding a cure for brain tumours.

For more information and to register go to thebraintumourcharity.org/get-involved/events/

If you’d like to get involved but cannot attend a Main Walk on the day you can participate in your ‘Own Walk’ any time in October.

An ‘Own Walk’ can be any length and take place at a location of your choice, on a day which suits you and your family and friends.

Geraldine Pipping, director of fundraising for The Brain Tumour Charity said: “We are incredibly grateful to Nathan and his friends for supporting The Brain Tumour Charity by holding their ‘Own Walk’ this October.

“The Twilight Walk helps to show people affected by brain tumours that they are not alone.

“Brain tumours are the biggest cancer killer of children and people under 40 in the UK and survival rates have not improved significantly over the last 40 years.

“We receive no Government funding and rely 100 per cent on voluntary donations and gifts in wills.

“So it’s only through the efforts of our fantastic fundraisers that we can change these shocking statistics in the future and bring hope to the thousands of people who are diagnosed with a brain tumour each year.

“We wish Nathan and his friends and family all the best on the day, we will be with them every step of the way and together we will beat brain tumours.”

To take part in the Marbury walk is £10 for adults, £5 for children, and £20 for a family of four, with parking £3 for the day.

The entry cost includes your T-shirt and a medal.

Once you have bought your tickets email dazzaastbury@gmail.com with your T-shirt sizes, and they will be at Marbury when you arrive.

The walkers are have set themselves a target of raising £500.

£100 could provide 20 patients with an information pack to help them understand their rights and access the support they need.

£250 could fund a specialist nurse for over a day so patients receive the best care.

£500 could fund two days of research for a leading brain tumour researcher to investigate more targeted treatments.

The Eventbrite link for the event is eventbrite.co.uk/e/marbury-8k-brain-tumour-charity-woodland-walk-tickets-48922646954.

The JustGiving page link is justgiving.com/fundraising/marbury8k-woodlandwalk

Pictured are the walkers taking part in the fundraiser.

From left, back, Darren Astbury, Leanne Astbury, Ruby Astbury, Nathan Blundell, Carl Briscall, Emma Briscall, Becky Astbury, Katy Preece, Ruth Hardern; middle, Mia Potter, Libbi Briscall, Billie Jo Briscall, Jayden Astbury, Josh Casson; front, Dotty Briscall, Peggy Briscall, Lacey Astbury