AN inspiring father is walking two miles every day with his walking frame to raise awareness of brain tumours after losing two of his closest family members in the same year.

Keith Simons, 80, lost his son, Paul and ex-wife and lifelong friend, Susan, to glioblastoma, the most common aggressive form of brain tumour in adults.

Keith has been inspired to take part in the Brain Tumour Charity’s Conquer the Challenge event in a bid to raise funds and awareness.

The charity is encouraging fundraisers to walk, run, or cycle 88 miles for the 88,000 people living with a brain tumour in the UK – but Keith is aiming higher and set his target at 150 miles.

Gazette: Keith and his walker CTKeith and his walker CT

Keith, from Maldon, said: “The walking is the hardest part of the challenge as I suffer from arthritis in my back and knees, but losing two people so close to you, who you love, is motivation enough.

“I walk with the aid of a walker that I call ‘CT,’ in memory of Captain Tom.

“I also find walking emotional at times, as it brings memories to the surface of a difficult and sad time for our family, and the losses we have had of my son, Paul, and his mum, Susan.

“After my family’s experiences, my heart goes out to all the 88,000 people living with brain tumours and their families.”

Both mother and son were diagnosed within 48 hours of each other and died in 2018.

Paul died seven weeks after his diagnosis, aged 42, just weeks before his second wedding anniversary. Susan died 11 weeks after her son, aged 77.

Gazette: Keith Simons, Nikki Saunders, Susan, Paul Simons Keith Simons, Nikki Saunders, Susan, Paul Simons

Keith’s daughter-in-law, Sarah Fitzgerald-Simons, set up The Paul Simons Fund which has raised more than £20,000 in Paul’s memory.

Sarah said: “I am so proud of my father-in-law for taking on this challenge to raise awareness of these dreadful tumours that took his son, my husband, and my mother-in-law from us.

“Keith is amazing, and I know that Paul and Susan would be so proud of him too.”

Keith has raised £2,000 and hopes to exceed his £2,500 target before his challenge is completed.

Keith’s daughter Nikki Saunders said: “No parent should ever have to lose a child and Paul has left a massive gap in all our lives, and we miss him and Mum every single day.”

To donate, visit conquerthechallenge2021.thebraintumourcharity.org/fundraising/keiths-walk-for-paul-and-susan.