A WOMAN from Somerset, Katy Nickless is running for her best friend Carly Beasley from Chippenham, Wiltshire, who had to re-learn to talk following brain surgery.

Katy Nickless has been friends with Carly Beasley for more than 15 years, but was left shocked when her friend was diagnosed with a grade two astrocytoma.

The 37-year-old is taking on the 26.2 mile challenge to raise money for Brain Tumour Research.

Carly, 35, was diagnosed in 2017 after suffering a seizure out-of-the-blue. She endured an awake craniotomy to remove part of the tumour, but a routine scan in January 2022 revealed the mass was regrowing and she needed a second operation.

Unfortunately the delicate surgery left Carly, from Chippenham, in the intensive care unit at Southmead Hospital. She lost the ability to speak and had to communicate solely though hand gestures when she returned home to celebrate her daughter Ivy’s first birthday on 29 August 2022.

It took a month for Carly to regain the ability to talk, following hard work with a speech therapist.

Katy, an account director for CPI Group UK, said: “Carly’s diagnosis was such a shock, you just don’t expect somebody so young or so close to you to get a brain tumour.

She added: “We are a big group of girlfriends and just a few months before Carly’s first seizure we were all out in Ibiza for her hen do. Carly is so fun and outgoing, she’s very loud, she loved getting up on stage in clubs and is always the life and soul of the party.

It has been tough seeing her go through all this but how she’s dealt with her diagnosis is really inspiring. Every day Carly is overcoming obstacles, she is incredibly positive."

On her decision to run a marathon she said: “In August all she could say was ‘yes’ and ‘no’ and now she can say every word, her speech is still affected but her progress has been absolutely amazing.

I feel that if she can go through all this, then I can get through a marathon.”

Katy’s partner Daren Booth also ran the marathon for the charity in 2019, along with Carly’s husband Kris. That gave Katy the push to sign up too, but following cancellations to the race due to COVID-19 she deferred to Sunday 23 April, 2023.

In the meantime, she joined the charity’s social group for runners and said: “Hearing other people’s experiences, you realise how common brain tumours are, and how many people you’re actually running this for. My fitness is not where it was when I initially signed up, but I am determined to get round. Daren knows I am going to find it tough but is really supportive. I know it will be really emotional on the day.”

Carly said: “It’s so important to raise awareness of brain tumours and the impact they can have on life. That doesn’t mean there aren’t tough moments, but I always make the most of the day in front of me. 

“Katy will do amazingly at the London Marathon, I’ll be going through the next round of chemotherapy so will be cheering her on from home.”

Brain Tumour Research is providing its runners with a package of support in the lead up to the event, including help from running coaches and access to a participants Facebook Group.

Carol Robertson, national events manager for Brain Tumour Research, said: “We are very grateful to Katy for taking on this huge challenge to help raise funds for our cause.

What an amazing thing to do for a friend, and we wish Carly all the best with her ongoing treatment. Our Marathon runners are supported every step of the way, and we look forward to cheering Katy across the finish line."

To support Katy’s fundraising, visit https://2023tcslondonmarathon.enthuse.com/pf/katy-nickless.