A MAN whose friend died from a brain tumour at only 28-years-old will soon run 126 miles in three days for charity.

James ‘Pud’ Pullen, from Wells, was just 22 years old when he was diagnosed with a brain tumour after suffering from a series of seizures - his prolonged battle with the disease saw him undergo surgery, followed by radiotherapy and chemotherapy treatments, before his tragic death six years later.

One of James’ closest friends and rugby teammate, Thomas Palacio, has committed to running from Plymouth to Wells to raise money for charity to help treat the disease.

Thomas said: “It’s unbelievable that we’re still in the same place we were when Pud died in 2015.

"Brain tumours kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer, yet just one per cent of the national spend on cancer research has been allocated to this devastating disease. This is unacceptable!”

Thomas will run the 126-mile distance from the University of Plymouth to Wells Town Hall in October, marking his fifth fundraiser for Brain Tumour Research, over which he has raised in excess of £10,000.

Alongside friends Tommy Corns, Lewis Smith and Jake Smith, Thomas will place four tiles in James’ honour on the Wall of Hope at the Plymouth Centre of Excellence - one for every day his fundraising has helped to fund.

The following day, on Friday October, 11 the trio will set off on their challenge.

Support Thomas’ fundraiser by visiting www.justgiving.com/page/tom-corns-1706812245417

Thomas said: “The Plymouth Centre has become a really significant place for us all, and it seems only right to place our tiles in Pud’s memory before the challenge begins.

“Every fundraiser I’ve done has been difficult in some way, but this is going to be the most challenging yet. I’m getting used to long distances now but we’re going to be running an average of 42 miles a day, so it’s definitely going to be gruelling!

"We’re hoping to start each day around four in the morning. It’ll be around ten hours of running, then hopefully we can relax and get our feet up and recover before we go again the next day.

“Pud would probably call us stupid for attempting it, he’d be chuckling to himself for sure. But I want to keep doing something for him every year to keep his memory alive, and keep fighting back against this awful disease.”

Louise Aubrey, community development manager at Brain Tumour Research, said: “Brain tumours are indiscriminate, and unfortunately a diagnosis as young as 22 is not uncommon.

“Thomas and his friends have already done so much to help our mission to find a cure for the disease, and we are so grateful for their ongoing support.”