Walk For Hope - Loch Lomond

We will be taking part in the Walk For Hope on the 29th September 2018. A quick walk from Balmaha to Rowardennan and back. A quick 14 mile hike.

We are doing this for two very important reasons; in memory of our brother Steven; and to raise awareness of Brain Tumour Research.

Brain Tumour Research is woefully under-funded, receiving less than 1% (0.7%) of national cancer research spending in the UK. It is also fact that 20% of all cancers spread to the brain; and more people under the age of 40 die of a brain tumour than from any other cancer.

Steven, died on the 4th of January 2011; due to an ‘a-typical’ Meningioma brain tumour. This aggressive type of tumour took Steven's life in such a way, and at such a pace, that it has left the family feeling that more research is needed to understand and deal with such a tumour; and the affects it brings to the sufferer. In Steven's case this lead to; blindness; deafness; cognitive deterioration; and an affected endocrine system, necessitating vital hormone therapy. Over and above the constant head aches and necessary surgeries. We watched on as our brother courageously dealt with each and every one of these life changing ailments, knowing there was only one eventual outcome. Steven was only 45 when he left this life.

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Stevie

Look at you, with that Cheshire grin
You cast a spell, that drew me in
Peroxide blond, and deep blue eyes
Before we knew it, we were hypnotized
Gotta burn through, that outer shell
'Cause we knew you had, it hidden well
Took a hard look, behind that façade
Saw that little boy, who took it hard

Blue eye dimmed, as it took a hold
What flash exposed, just turned me cold
Nothing left to do, but hang on tight
He had the strength of a lion, as he put up a fight
It's not the first time, but it was the last
As Mother watches, as her Son goes fast
It's what we dread, it's what we fear
To watch a loved one slowly disappear

Come on inside I got a tale to tell
About poor old Stevie, and how he went to hell
Listen to my story, listen to it well
I won't sugar coat it, it's no soft sell
He battled with courage, right up to the end
As I watched in awe, my brother, my friend
It was hard to take, it was hard to see
And my heart broke, when he broke free

We grew up together, and those memories won't fade
The bonds we had grew stronger, in that bitter shade
No matter what we did, we helped each other through
That's why I walked that line with you

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