A YOUNG woman who saw her dad deteriorate and die from a brain tumour will take on a marathon in his memory.

Beth Lloyd, an administrator from Hockley, will be running the Brighton Marathon on April 2 for Brain Tumour Research.

Her dad Steve who was diagnosed with a glioblastoma (GBM) after suffering a seizure in October 2008.

Steve, a lifelong West Ham United fan who worked for London Underground for 22 years, underwent chemotherapy and radiotherapy but died in September 2015, aged 40.

He defied the odds by surviving seven years as the average prognosis for a GBM patient is just 12-18 months.

Beth, who described her dad as “kind, caring, funny”, was just 11 when he died.

She said: “I’ve always wanted to run a marathon and was keen to do it before I turned 21. I’ve done lots for the charity previously and so decided I’d do this whilst I’m still young.

“I’m excited about it but I’m nervous too in case I don’t finish, although I know I will because I will crawl across the line if I have to.”

The 20-year-old, who gave an emotive speech during a brain tumour awareness event at Speaker’s House, Westminster, in March 2017, added: “I’ll do anything to prevent another family from having to go through what I have. I was just 11 when my dad passed away and to see him deteriorate the way he did was awful.

“Seeing someone you love change so much in such a short period of time is really sad and something you never forget.”

Charlie Allsebrook, community development manager for Brain Tumour Research, said: “Beth’s mum and stepdad have both run the Brighton Marathon for us previously so she’ll be in good company completing this race.

“We wish her the best of luck with her training and look forward to cheering her across the finish line on the day.”

To support Beth’s fundraising, visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/bethany-lloyd3.