A mother from Pinner who previously completed a charity walk with her late son, has taken on another fundraising walk in his memory.
On Saturday, January 27, Michelle Beresford-Smart, along with her three friends Natalie, Shoba and Kate, completed the London Winter Walk, a 13.1-mile challenge from The Oval to Putney Bridge and back again.
The friends took on the fundraising mission to raise money for Brain Tumour Research after Michelle’s son, Josh, was diagnosed with the disease at age 15.
Josh, the youngest of three brothers, was a keen athlete who played rugby for Pinner and Harrow Rugby Clubs and had dreams of becoming a human rights lawyer. However, after developing a tremor in his hand, Josh was diagnosed with diffuse midline glioma.
He underwent radiotherapy and chemotherapy, and also travelled to New York to take part to a clinical trial. However, the COVID-19 pandemic halted his treatment, and Josh passed away in February 2021, just two months before his 19th birthday.
Michelle said: “We decided to take on the half marathon Winter Walk because in September 2018, Josh, his two brothers, Tom and Matt, some family friends and I completed a similar walk. It brought back vivid memories of Josh, which was emotional, but comforting too. I remembered how much he enjoyed the whole experience.”
Before Josh died, he wrote in his school yearbook that he wanted to “raise money and awareness for brain tumours”. His family has launched a fundraising croup under the charity’s umbrella called Team Joshua to honour his wishes.
To sponsor Michelle in her Winter Walk, go to www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Michelle-Beresford-Smart1
Photo credit: Brain Tumour Research
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