Mum’s Marathon Run In Memory Of Son And Husband

A bereaved mum and wife raised over £14,800 for us after completing the London Marathon in memory of her nine-year-old son and her husband, who tragically passed away within a year of each other.

Tina Williams, from Rugby, and her good friends Rachel Irons and Alice Poskett crossed the finish line of the prestigious running event in just under five hours but it was a bitter-sweet moment. Tina’s husband, Chris, should have been there by her side, to honour their nine-year-old son, Barnaby who passed away last year, after a battle with rare paediatric brain cancer called Medulloblastoma.

Barnaby was seven-years-old when scans showed a devastating brain tumour. He was rushed by blue-lights to our hospital and just two days later he underwent major surgery to remove the tumour and relieve pressure in his skull.

Immediately after his operation Barnaby began an intense course of chemotherapy but scans showed that the tumour was continuing to grow so doctors switched Barnaby onto a new treatment plan of radiotherapy and an even more intense chemotherapy.

After six months of treatment, Barnaby finally returned home to be reunited with younger sister, Beau, and thankful for her son’s return, Tina began fundraising for the hospital, running the Great Birmingham Run in his name. However, almost a year later, tests revealed the tumours were back and had begun to spread. Barnaby returned to our hospital for more treatment but sadly, just a few months later, he passed away.

With their hearts broken, Tina, Chris and over 120 friends and family members took on a muddy Wolf Run challenge to raise funds for us in Barnaby’s name. The family raised over £50,000 but Chris wanted to carry on and secured places for him and Tina to run the London Marathon and continue Barnaby’s legacy.

Devastatingly, in August 2024 Chris began experiencing headaches, and after fighting for an MRI to rule out the unthinkable, the scan showed an aggressive form of brain cancer. Chris underwent an operation to try and remove the tumour on 8 August, six months to the day that Barnaby died and sadly, after another five months of fighting, Chris passed away too.

Though Tina’s world had been shattered once more, she knew she needed to carry on and complete the marathon, not just for Barnaby now, but for Chris too. She stepped up her training and Rachel came forward to run with her, in Chris’ place, with Alice joining them too.

Tina said: “As the marathon began I could hear Barnaby’s sweet voice saying ‘let’s go mummy’ – I was ready and determined to do it! I also felt privileged to run for Chris who would have loved to have been there.

“It was tough, especially in the heat but I kept thinking of all the pain my Barnaby endured without complaining and pushed on. 30 of our wonderful friends and family, including my daughter Beau, came down to cheer us on which really motivated me.”

Annie Eytle, Head of Public Fundraising at Birmingham Children’s Hospital Charity, said: “Tina h faced with the unthinkable, losing Barnaby and Chris in such a short space of time, and we’re truly humbled and inspired by the way she has continued to support our charity in their memory.

“Completing the London Marathon is a feat in itself but Tina and Rachel managed it in high temperatures, raising an astounding figure for us, which will help us continue doing more for countless sick children. We’re so grateful.”

If you’ve been inspired by Tina’s story, click here to begin your own fundraising journey, or if you’d like to donate to support our sick kids, please click here.