Worcestershire brain cancer patient, Ben Lindon, has died

BBC News

04-06-2025

A brain cancer patient who fought to raise awareness of the disease and help others has died.Father-of-two Ben Lindon, 46, from Malvern, passed away last Thursday, 16 years after he was diagnosed with an aggressive and rare brain tumour called an oligodendroglioma, the charity Brain Tumour Research said.After his diagnosis, he started running and training, and completed the Brighton Marathon, among others, in 2011.His wife, Kate, said: "Instead of allowing the diagnosis to define or defeat him, Ben chose to lead a healthier life physically and mentally, and to focus on others who were also suffering."
The former journalist and retained firefighter for Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service also completed the Three Peaks Challenge, the London Marathon, and a 1,000-mile bike ride from John O'Groats to Land's End.Katrina Jones, the charity's head of fundraising, described him as "an extraordinary individual whose courage, determination and tireless fundraising inspired everyone who knew him".The charity described how the risks were too high to remove Mr Lindon's tumour surgically, and he underwent 120 cycles of radiotherapy and chemotherapy, thought to be the most chemotherapy given to any patient in the UK.During his 100th chemo cycle in 2017, he kayaked 100 miles along the River Wye, supported by mementos from his children.Mrs Lindon, who is working with the organisation to raise awareness of the disease, has described how he raised more than £10,000 for Brain Tumour Research, as he "fought a brave battle, raising awareness and support".She said: "Ben wanted others to have a fighting chance, and he knew that fundraising was his way of trying to ensure that other families don't have to experience what he went through."
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