Jake, Jamal and Harley lead Abbie’s army in honour of their brother Charlie

Jake tragically lost his little brother earlier this year. Charlie was only eleven years old.

Jake, together with his brothers Jamal and Marley, are running the Leeds Half Marathon on Sunday in honour of Charlie’s wishes.

In March 2024, the family received the unimaginably devastating news that Charlie had a terminal brain tumour — known as a DIPG/DMG (Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma).

Although it was an incredibly difficult battle, Charlie faced it head-on. The tumour took so much from him as it progressed. He quickly lost his ability to walk, and then the use of his left hand, which stopped him from doing one of his favourite things — gaming. Eventually, it even took away his ability to swallow and speak.

However, even in his final days, Charlie’s hope and fight never faded. He was still cracking jokes and making people smile. Jake says, “I’ve never seen such strength in a human. He was the very definition of inspirational.”

Charlie’s story, heartbreakingly, is not unique. Up to 40 children in the UK are diagnosed with DIPG each year. Due to the tumour’s location in the brainstem and its aggressive nature, there is currently no cure. Most children diagnosed with DIPG tragically pass away within 18 months or less. In a time of such medical progress, this simply shouldn’t be the case. No family should have to go through this indescribable pain and loss.

One of Charlie’s biggest wishes was to help other children facing the same bleak diagnosis. It sums up his character that he even chose to donate money he'd received for his own bucket list to support other poorly children instead.

The three brothers are running to honour Charlie’s wish to help other children with DIPG and raise awareness about this evil disease.

Abbie’s Army, the charity they are supporting, is dedicated to finding a cure, and a JustGiving page has been set up to raise funds for their crucial work in funding DIPG research.

Charlie may not be with them physically, but throughout the 13.1 miles of the Leeds Half Marathon, Jake and his brothers will carry him with them every step of the way.