Simon To Honour Friends Who Died Of Brain Cancer With Annual Isle Of Wight Cycling Event

A Hampshire man whose life was “sent down a different path” after losing five friends to brain cancer has vowed to never stop fighting the deadly disease.

Simon Tier, 56, from Fareham, is gearing up for the seventh Brain Tumour Research Randonnee on the Isle of Wight on Saturday (July 6).

The annual event sees hordes of cyclists speed around the Island, raising vital funds to support the charity’s search for a cure.

Simon’s relationship with Brain Tumour Research began in 2011 when his friend and best man was diagnosed with a glioblastoma (GBM).

Patients with this high-grade tumour are given a devastatingly short prognosis of just 12-18 months, with just 5% of people living more than five years. 

In November 2015 Simon’s best man died, and in the six months that followed, Simon tragically lost a further four friends to the disease, all similarly aged between their early 40’s and late 50’s.

The period would shape the future of Simon’s life.

In 2017, he launched the first Brain Tumour Research Randonnée.

Simon said:

“It’s my baby. I will always be here, supporting the charity in whatever way I can, and hopefully making the event bigger and bigger, and making it an iconic event in the cycling and charity calendar.

“Losing so many friends in quick succession was devastating. 

"It has become very much a passion of mine to keep raising funds and awareness, and keep flying flag for a charity I treasure so much for the work it does. As long as I have breath in me, I will be at the Isle of Wight every year.”

Last year, the Randonnée raised a record-breaking £19,500 for the cause, whilst Simon’s personal JustGiving page, which he started after his best friend was diagnosed, has now reached more than £40,000.

Louise Aubrey, community development manager at Brain Tumour Research, said:

“Simon’s longstanding support has been nothing short of incredible.

"The Randonnée gets bigger and better every year, bringing more and more money to help fund the fight against the disease.

"Just 1% of the national spend on cancer research has been allocated to brain tumours since records began in 2002, a fact which needs to change drastically if we are to find a cure.”

Brain Tumour Research funds sustainable research at dedicated centres in the UK.

It also campaigns for the Government and larger cancer charities to invest more in research into brain tumours in order to speed up new treatments for patients and, ultimately, to find a cure.

The charity is the driving force behind the call for a national annual spend of £35 million in order to improve survival rates and patient outcomes in line with other cancers such as breast cancer and leukaemia.

Riders taking part in the Brain Tumour Research Randonnée 2024 event can choose from three distances, each taking in multiple scenic spots around the beautiful Isle of Wight.

You can sign up to take part or make a donation online.