A WIDOWER is set to run a half marathon in memory of his wife who died of a brain tumour on Christmas Eve last year.
Liam Alexander will raise money for Brain Tumour Research by running the Brighton Half Marathon in memory of his wife, who died a year ago today,
Sophie Alexander-Field, a teaching assistant from Hove, was diagnosed with a grade two diffuse astrocytoma in August 2016 and was just 25 when she died.
The couple met when they were 16 and both working as shop assistants at Primark - they got married just two weeks before Sophie's death.
Liam, who now works as an electrical engineer in Ovingdean, said his wife’s passing “will always be the hardest thing I go through in my life”.
“She never let her diagnosis or treatment hold her back, we did more in that short space of time than some couples do in a lifetime with multiple holidays, trips and just enjoying every day together, as well as getting married which was just the perfect day and one of my best memories."
The 26-year-old took part in a charity cycling challenge in August in aid of Brain Tumour Research, but said he wanted his friends to be involved this time.
He will run on February 27, along with his best friend George Isaacs and his fiancé Sarah Blackman.
“Anyone who knew Sophie would know she loved fundraising for charity and raising awareness about this horrible disease. I have no doubt she’d be very proud of what we’re trying to achieve in honour of her memory.”
George, a primary school teacher at City Academy Whitehawk, and Sarah, a nursery worker at Tarnerland Nursery, said despite a lack of previous running experience, it felt right to take part in Sophie’s memory.
“I have only ever done a 10k, Liam’s never run before, and Sarah hasn’t run since primary school, so this is a bit bold, but we have a 12-week plan to get ready,” George said.
He said Sophie thought she was getting better before the shock of being told the chemo hadn’t been successful, leaving palliative care as the only option.
“Our families didn’t see her as the girl with the brain tumour. They remember her as the girl we couldn’t get off the stage at my 24th birthday,” she said.
“She was the life and soul of the party and lit up the room; her personality was infectious.”
Sarah added: “We all miss Sophie dearly so running this race in her memory and raising money for Brain Tumour Research is a real privilege. It’s definitely going to be a challenge as the furthest I have run is three miles.”
Sophie endured seizures, a biopsy, surgeries, radiotherapy and 11 cycles of chemotherapy before being told she had exhausted all her treatment options.
Brain Tumour Research community development manager Charlie Allsebrook said Sophie’s story is a stark reminder that brain tumours are indiscriminate and can affect anyone of any age and at any time.
“We welcomed Liam’s support of our cycle 274 miles in August challenge earlier this year and we welcome his, George’s and Sarah’s support of us in the Brighton Half Marathon as we work together to fund vital research into brain tumours,” he said.
“Our aim is to prevent more families from facing this devastating disease.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel