A retired Cornish policeman is taking on the TCS London Marathon this month to support his friends who are battling brain tumours.
Phil Bunt, 70, from Newquay, a former officer turned photographer, will tackle the iconic race on April 27 to raise funds for Brain Tumour Research, a charity close to his heart. His motivation to run the 26.2-mile distance stems from the diagnoses of two friends.
Local councillor Kevin Towill, 44, and Simon, a younger former police colleague who Phil continues to follow through social media. Though not local to where Phil lives, Simon’s diagnosis, like Kevin’s, came as a shock and added to Phil’s determination to act.
Phil said: “I’ve seen firsthand the devastating impact brain tumours can have, not just on the individuals diagnosed but on their families and loved ones too. Both of my friends have shown immense courage in facing this disease, and I wanted to do something meaningful to honour their fight.
“To know more than one person who has been diagnosed with a brain tumour says it all, and we must do what we can to achieve a future where it’s no longer a devastating condition.”
Kevin, who Phil met through their shared membership in Lions Clubs International, first experienced severe swallowing difficulties and slurred speech. These symptoms were dismissed for months until an MRI revealed an aggressive brain tumour.
Doctors operated within days, but complications led to the need for a tracheostomy and long-term care. Over the past year, Kevin has undergone various treatments, including experimental therapies, and is now living at home.
A dedicated member of the Towan Blystra Lions Club in Newquay, Phil has spent years supporting charity work across the region. While he has taken part in numerous fundraising events for different causes, this will be his first full marathon.
“Training at 70 certainly brings its challenges, but I’m determined to give it my all,” adds Phil. “I enjoy running, and I’m a member of the Newquay Road Runners. Taking on a marathon is something I’ve always wanted to do, and now that I’ve retired and have more time to train, it just felt like the right moment.
“I always said that if I was going to do something like this, I wanted to raise money for something, and research into brain tumours seemed like the right cause. The motivation to support my friends and contribute to a cause that desperately needs more funding keeps me going, even on the toughest training days.”
Brain tumours are indiscriminate and can affect anyone at any age. They kill more men under 70 than prostate cancer yet just one per cent of the national spend on cancer research has been allocated to brain tumours since records began in 2002.
Phil’s fundraising page has already reached £4,270, enough to fund more than a day of research at one of Brain Tumour Research’s five Centres of Excellence.
Phil said: “The proportion of government money that goes towards causes like this is relatively small compared to the amount raised by charities. That makes it all the more imperative that people understand the way they can actually make a difference is through supporting Brain Tumour Research, so its labs can discover the vital cure that will save thousands of lives and families from heartbreak every year.”
Carol Robertson, national events manager at Brain Tumour Research, said: “We’re so grateful to Phil for taking on this incredible challenge in support of his friends. Stories like his are powerful reminders of why our work is so vital. It’s unacceptable that brain tumours continue to receive just one per cent of the national spend on cancer research. Fundraisers like Phil are helping to change that and bring us closer to a cure.”
To support Phil's London Marathon fundraiser, visit: www.justgiving.com/page/phil-bunt-1720185913694