A COUPLE are set to take part in a nine mile charity walk after their godson from Southampton was diagnosed with a brain tumour.

Fiona Newland-Smith and her husband Neil will take part in the inaugural Hatton Locks Walk of Hope to support Fiona's godson, Luke Smith, and help raise funds for the charity Brain Tumour Research.

Luke, 30, lives with an incurable brain tumour which the can affect anyone at any age.

Fiona, a footcare professional, said: “Luke’s diagnosis came as a huge shock and completely out of the blue, while he was enjoying a holiday at Center Parcs in Wiltshire.

"He was swimming in the rapids when he suffered a seizure and didn’t surface from the bottom of the pool. Fortunately, his girlfriend called for medical assistance and he was rushed to Salisbury Hospital.

“A scan revealed a brain tumour and, because of its location, it couldn’t be completely removed by surgery. He had a debulking operation and now, three years on from the ordeal, requires routine scans.

“Sadly, the symptoms of Luke’s tumour are debilitating and mean he can no longer drive or work.

"He loved his job as teacher for children with special educational needs. He suffers from epilepsy and struggles to cope on his own, in case of seizures."

The Hatton Locks Walk of Hope follows a route along the Grand Union Canal, featuring a climb of 21 locks up the Avon Valley from Warwick.

The 51-year-old from Hinckley added: "I’m looking forward to raising awareness at the Hatton Locks Walk of Hope and it will be a fantastic day out for me and Neil. The walk boasts fantastic views of the Warwickshire countryside.

"Neil and I have six children between us, aged 13 to 27, and their very proud of us for taking a step towards a brain tumour cure.”

Community fundraising manager for Brain Tumour Research in the Midlands, Carrie Bater, said: "We are thankful for Fiona and Neil’s support and we hope they encourage people to join us at Warwickshire’s inaugural Walk of Hope.

"The walk promises to be a fantastic event and offers the unique opportunity for people to share their experiences with the disease.

“Brain tumours kill more children and adults under the age of 40, yet have historically received just 1 percent of the national spend of cancer research. We cannot allow this situation to continue so please join Fiona and Neil at the event and help scientists searching for a cure.”

Brain Tumour Research is calling for an annual spend of £35m to improve survival rates and patient outcomes in line with other cancers, such as breast cancer and leukaemia, and is also campaigning for greater repurposing of drugs.

It also campaigns for the Government and the larger cancer charities to invest more in research into brain tumours in order to speed up new treatments for patients and, ultimately, to find a cure. The charity is calling for an annual spend of £35m in order to improve survival rates and patient outcomes in line with other cancers such as breast cancer and leukaemia and is also campaigning for greater repurposing of drugs.

The couple will take part in the walk on September 28.