A Chester woman will be among the fundraisers at a unique charity event in the city later this month after vowing to help her terminally-ill god-daughter.

Kimberley Cooper has been working to raise awareness of brain tumours and funds for much-needed research since her god-daughter Katie Hodkinson, also from Chester, was diagnosed with a brain tumour four years ago.

Kimberley will be among hundreds of people of all ages who have been affected by brain tumours taking part in The Twilight Walk through Chester on September 27.

The 10k route begins at dusk and takes in sights including Chester’s historic city walls.

The event aims to unite patients and families in the battle against brain tumours as well as raising money.

Katie, 34, was diagnosed with a brain tumour four years ago.

Kimberley said: “Katie had been experiencing headaches whilst driving. She visited the opticians where she was rushed straight to hospital. There they sadly discovered she was terminally ill with a brain tumour.”

Katie’s brain tumour is inoperable but she has had extensive radiotherapy treatment.

For Kimberley, taking part in the event is about “raising as much awareness as possible.”

Katie said: ‘When I was first diagnosed the only person I knew of who had a brain tumour was Russell Watson. To look at me I don’t look poorly but a brain tumour affects your life so much. Everything changes so quickly.”

Due to extreme fatigue associated with having a brain tumour, Katie had to give up her job as a regional manager for Boots. She now works part-time in Boots in Chester.

Despite suffering from side effects such as fatigue, vertigo and having to undergo frequent scans, Katie is determined to live her life to the full:

She said: “I’m not going to be one of those people that sits around and doesn’t get dressed. It’s about being as positive as possible and getting on with it.”

Both Kimberley and Katie are urging others to join The Brain Tumour Charity’s Twilight Walk to help defeat brain tumours.

The Charity’s director of fundraising, Geraldine Pipping, said: “The Twilight Walk helps to show people affected by brain tumours that they are not alone.

“Brain tumours are the biggest cancer killer of children and people under 40 in the UK and survival rates have not improved significantly over the last 40 years.

“We receive no government funding and rely 100% on voluntary donations, so it’s only through the efforts of people like Kimberley that we can change these shocking statistics in the future and bring hope to the thousands of people who are diagnosed with a brain tumour each year.”

The walk will take in Chester’s historic city walls and cathedral, beginning at 5.30pm on September 27.

Chester is one of four locations to host the Twilight Walk this year – others will take place in Windsor on September 20, York on October 4 and Warwick on October 11.

There is no lower or upper age limit for participants.

For more information or to register go to www.thebraintumourcharity.org/raising-funds/Events/The-Twilight-Walk