A FORMER police officer is running 300km in the space of three months in honour of a trio of friends who were all been diagnosed with brain tumours.

Sian Trigwell, 48, has already completed two of three 100km runs in an attempt to raise cash for the Brain Tumour Research charity.

Sian, who worked for Essex Police as a civilian investigation officer before becoming a receptionist at the Premier Inn in Braintree, was inspired to take on the challenges after three friends were diagnosed with brain tumours.

Despite two of them three undergoing successful treatment, another died and Sian admits is it the memory of her late friend which is driving her on.

She said: “I know more people who have been affected with brain tumours than breast cancer.

“My friend David Gallagher suffered with migraines for a while until one day he collapsed and was taken to hospital.

“A scan revealed two high-grade brain tumours, one of which was inoperable because of its position on the brain stem.

“It was frightening how quickly he deteriorated from being a very active man, who was full of life, to being blind and unable to even walk.

“Six months after his diagnosis, he died last year.

“I am running every kilometre for David and my pain is nothing to his pain, the aches of every hour are nothing to his.

“When I find it hard, I can hear David telling me to shut up and saying: ‘Mine’s a tea!’”

Sian completed the first 100km when competing in the Jurassic Coast Challenge back in June before completing the second 100km run in the Peak District last weekend.

She spent 18 months preparing for the epic challenges by working on a special endurance and cardio fitness programme put together by a team at the CrossFit gym in Braintree.

The final run is set to take place at the end of August at the South Cast Challenge.

Sian has already raised thousands of pounds for Brain Tumour Research and is hoping to raise even more.

She added: “I am so grateful to everyone who has donated to my fundraising page so far, including an anonymous donation from someone who lost his PA to a brain tumour and donated a massive £5,000.

“It could happen to any of us and the effect a brain tumour has on the patient, their family and friends is devastating.

“I am helping fund research into brain tumours to find better treatments and hopefully a cure.”