A father-of-three living with an incurable brain tumour has completed a triathlon challenge to celebrate surviving to see another birthday.

Andrew Stammers, 45, from Radstock, took part in the Pembrokeshire Coast Triathlon on Saturday, 8th June. Andrew was diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumour in 2011, while serving as a Baptist minister in Radstock, after suffering a seizure. He endured a gruelling five-hour operation and radiotherapy, and was given a dire prognosis of just one to two years.

Now, eight years on, Andrew is doing well and is determined to raise awareness of the biggest cancer killer of children and adults under the age of forty. On average, just 20% of brain tumour patients survive for five years or more post-diagnosis.

Since his diagnosis, Andrew has taken on a number of sporting challenges, including a 400km cycle from Weston-super-Mare to Walton-on-the-Naze, Essex, and the Prudential RideLondon-Surrey 100-mile sportive, to raise money for the Brain Tumour Research charity. Each fundraiser has taken place around his birthday in June, to celebrate life and another year of defying his bleak prognosis.

Andrew, who lives with his wife, Suzanne and their three daughters, Gracie, Tamzin and Anwyn, said: “When I was diagnosed with a brain tumour it was awful; my mind going into overdrive, thinking through lots of scenarios.

“I consider myself as fortunate to have survived for eight years post-diagnosis, but I’m under no illusion of how uncertain my future is. I receive the results from my recent scan this month, and that is always an anxious time for me.

“My faith has been a great comfort throughout my brain tumour journey. We have a big painting on the wall at home, with the title, ‘Fear Not’. It is a bright yellow and blue abstract – a happy and cheerful image which Suzanne and I felt summed up where we are: fearful, but with God beside us.”

Keen cyclist, Andrew, added: “I was pleased to complete the triathlon, and it was great to get back on the bike. It should have started with a one-mile open-water sea swim in Broad Haven, but it was blowing a gale and the sea was deemed to be too rough. Instead, we had to run up a steep hill – and I am not a runner!

“My favourite part of the challenge was a 43km bike ride around Pembrokeshire. Then there was a gruelling 10.6km coast path run to the finish back on Broad Haven beach. I am proud to have raised more than £600 for Brain Tumour Research.”

Michael Thelwall, Head of Community Fundraising for Brain Tumour Research in the South West, said: “We thank Andrew for taking on another incredible sporting challenge for Brain Tumour Research, and we hope he inspires others to fundraise for this vital cause.”