AN inspirational man has battled back from a devastating brain tumour and is taking on a 400km lockdown challenge for the charity.

Ian Brightwell, 42, from Colchester, experienced an aggressive seizure back in the summer of 2018, while walking through the town with partner Louise Ferguson, 50.

Four off-duty firefighters stopped to help the couple, and Mr Brightwell was taken to Colchester Hospital, before being referred to Queen’s Hospital, in Romford.

Miss Ferguson initially thought her partner’s collapse was a stroke.

But, following numerous tests a large mass was found on the part of the brain which controls vision and the entire right side of the body.

Since having brain surgery at the start of 2019, Mr Brightwell, who has worked at Reeman Dansie auction house for more than 20 years, has been on the road to recovery, enduring, with positivity, endless chemotherapy and radiotherapy sessions.

“I was completely shocked when it first happened, because there had been no warning signs at all,” said Miss Ferguson.

“He went in for surgery and by the evening on the following day we were having a coffee in Costa waiting to get picked up.

“The doctors thought he was incredible and just couldn’t get over how well he recovered, but he has a positive mindset, so he wouldn’t let it affect him.

“Since then he has had six weeks of radiotherapy, and then four cycles of chemotherapy, which has been really harsh on his body.

“I call him my brain tumour warrior and, even though we only just together shortly before this happened, it feels like we have been together forever.”

Despite the setbacks and difficulties fighting a tumour results in Mr Brightwell has been determined to remain in high spirits and keep active.

Before the lockdown was imposed, he continued to walk to work, and then to his treatments, and is still determined to get in his 10,000 steps every day.

His desire to keep on keeping on has now seen him and his partner embark on a long-distance challenge in aid of the Brain Tumour Charity.

Every day, the pair walk or cycle various distances with the goal of hitting 400km by the end of June, and Miss Ferguson’s colleagues at the Harvester have even joined in.

Speaking about her partner’s ability to take on the task Miss Ferguson said: “What he is doing is a massive thing considering where he was a year ago.

“We go out every day, wind or rain, because Ian will not stay in, and it has been fun, and we have had lovely encouragement.

“My colleagues have started to join us, because their family members have also suffered with brain tumours and it is brilliant for them to do it with us.

“A lot of people have to sit in waiting rooms alone, because their partners can’t take the time off work, but my work has been so incredible.”

So far, they have raised more than £500, which is five times what they initially set out to raise.

Miss Ferguson says the organisation has been vital in aiding her partner’s recovery, and wants to ensure other people can continue to get the same support. “Without the Brain Tumour Charity, Ian might not have had the treatment he has, and the information and support they give you is just priceless,” she said.

Anyone wanting to make a donation should click here.