A student from Harrogate is preparing to run the length of Britain, raising vital funds for a charity working to find a cure for the brain cancer that killed his father.
Rafe Colman-Chadwick, 20, a Politics and Social Policy student now at the University of York, is set to begin an extraordinary 874-mile challenge from John o’ Groats to Land’s End on Thursday 4th June.
He is fundraising for Brain Tumour Research in memory of his dad, Damian Colman, who died from a glioblastoma in September 2018 at the age of 48.
Rafe said:
“I’ve never really spoken publicly about losing my dad before but doing my first marathon changed that. The support I got from people was incredible, and it made me realise how many people care about this cause.
“This challenge is on a completely different scale. It’s taking months of training and a lot of discipline, but I’ve got a clear reason for doing it. Every mile I run is for my dad and for everyone affected by brain tumours.
“I’ve had to sacrifice a lot, especially socially at university, but it’s worth it. This is something I really believe in, and I want to push myself as far as I can.”
Damian first began experiencing symptoms in 2016 after suffering a seizure.
He was later diagnosed with a glioblastoma, an aggressive and incurable type of brain cancer, at Leeds Teaching Hospitals.
Over the following two years, he underwent two brain surgeries to remove the tumour, alongside radiotherapy at Leeds and chemotherapy tablets taken at home.
Despite the challenges of his diagnosis, Damian remained determined to live life fully and support those around him.
A theatre director, he dedicated much of his career to working with people experiencing homelessness, helping them build confidence through acting and performance.
Rafe said:
“Dad was one of those people who left a huge impression on everyone he met.
“He was incredibly intelligent, creative and thoughtful, but also someone who could make people laugh so easily. Even when he was ill, he didn’t let it define him. He just got on with life and made the most of the time he had. That’s something that’s always stayed with me.
“He wrote a book for me during his illness, which I didn’t read until I turned 18. It completely changed how I see life. It made me realise how important it is to stay positive and take opportunities when you can.”
Brain tumours are indiscriminate; they can affect anyone at any age and kill more men under 70 than prostate cancer. Yet just 1% of the national spend on cancer research has been allocated to brain tumours since records began in 2002.
Rafe previously ran the London Marathon in 2024 to raise funds for the charity and has already raised more than £10,000 – enough to fund more than three days of research at a Brain Tumour Research Centre of Excellence.
At the charity’s Centre of Excellence at the University of Nottingham, scientists are using artificial intelligence, advanced imaging and genomic techniques to better understand recurrence in glioblastoma, the same type of tumour Damian was diagnosed with.
Rafe said:
“It’s shocking how underfunded research into brain tumours is, especially when you see how many people are affected. When my dad was diagnosed, it felt like there were so few options. That’s why funding research is so important. It’s the only way things are going to change.
“If taking on this challenge helps raise awareness and brings in funding that could improve treatments in the future, then it’s the least I can do.”
Ashley McWilliams, community development manager at Brain Tumour Research, said:
“Rafe’s determination to take on such an extraordinary challenge in memory of his dad is truly inspiring. Running the length of Britain is an incredible physical and mental feat, and his commitment to raising funds for research is remarkable.
“Brain tumours remain one of the most underfunded areas of cancer research, and it’s only through the dedication of supporters like Rafe that we can continue to drive progress.
"Every pound raised brings us closer to finding a cure and improving outcomes for patients and their families.”
To support Rafe’s fundraising challenge, visit: https://www.justgiving.com/page/rafael-colman-chadwick
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