Brighton family to walk 100km in memory of daughter Issy

A Brighton family who lost their teenage daughter to a brain tumour earlier this year are preparing to take on a gruelling 100km endurance challenge in her memory.

Matt and Nicki Spiers, aged 53 and 55, will be among 22 family members and friends participating in the South Coast Ultra Challenge on 5 and 6 September.

The group will complete the entire route from Eastbourne to Arundel, raising money for The Brain Tumour Charity.

The challenge was inspired by Matt and Nicki’s daughter Issy, who died in January at the age of 13 after living with a brain tumour for just under four years.

Their JustGiving campaign has already raised more than £35,000, with further donations continuing to arrive ahead of the walk.

Issy’s father, Matt, said: "Issy was a remarkable young lady both before and during her illness. She inspired so many people by how she simply got on with enjoying life, whatever challenges came her way.

"We are hugely proud of her and will forever miss her. Taking on this challenge is our way of honouring her memory while helping to fund research that could give other families more hope in the future."

Matt and Nicki will be joined by their 22-year-old son Jamie, who recently finished university and was extremely close to his younger sister.

The family hope the challenge will raise awareness of brain tumours and highlight what they describe as an urgent need for greater investment in research.

Nicki said: "Brain tumours take more lives of people under 40 in the UK than any other type of cancer, yet research into diagnosis, treatments and cures remains significantly underfunded.

"We wanted to do something meaningful in Issy's memory and hopefully make a small difference for other families facing what we faced."

Issy was a student at Brighton College and touched the lives of many people during her illness. Members of the school community have already organised several fundraising events in her memory and in support of The Brain Tumour Charity.

On 5 September, the group will set off alongside thousands of other people participating in the South Coast Ultra Challenge, described as one of the toughest events in the Ultra Challenge calendar.

The 100km route follows the South Downs Way and the Sussex coastline. It passes landmarks including Beachy Head, the Seven Sisters, Brighton and Devil’s Dyke before finishing in Arundel.

Despite the physical demands of completing the route on foot, Matt said the team’s motivation was simple.

He said: "Whenever it gets tough, we'll be thinking about Issy and the courage she showed every day. Compared to what she went through, walking 100km is nothing."

The family hope the money raised will help fund research and improve outcomes for other patients and families affected by brain tumours.

Sophie Crossman, Senior Events Officer for The Brain Tumour Charity, said: "Taking on a 100km challenge is a significant achievement, and we’re grateful to Matt, Nicki, Jamie and their team for choosing to fundraise for The Brain Tumour Charity in Issy’s memory. Their support will help us fund vital research and provide support to people and families affected by brain tumours. We wish them all the very best for the challenge and thank them for their incredible commitment to supporting our work."

Donations can be made through Matt Spiers’ JustGiving page.

Entries for the event remain open through the South Coast Ultra Challenge website.

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