A TEAM entering the Chew Valley 10K run in Bishop Sutton on June 7 will be running in memory of a dear friend and family member, Tom Barter.

Brought up in Bishop Sutton Tom tragically died of brain cancer in September 2025 aged just 55.

He received the shocking diagnosis of incurable Glioblastoma just ten months earlier, and his life changed unrecognisably from that moment, says his sister Kate Barter. Despite Tom's brave fight, there was nothing that could be done to stop the aggressive tumour's devastating impact.

‘Team Tom’ is made up of friends from through Tom’s life; old friends from Chew Valley School and the London College of Printing where he studied graphic design in the late 1980s, work colleagues, family and friends.

Kate has brought the team together, and towards the end of Tom’s life she shared with him her plans for this tribute run. Tom was really behind it, she says, and asked that funds raised go to the charity Brain Tumour Research.

Kate explains: “Like so many people with this brutal type of cancer, Tom was shocked when he learned how little money is spent on researching brain tumours.

“Brain cancer sits under a category called ‘rare cancers’, yet it’s not at all rare; one in three people in the UK knows someone affected by a brain tumour.

“Tom wanted us to raise awareness of this injustice in the cancer research field, as well as raising much needed funds for this vital charity which is seeking to find a cure.”

Brain tumours kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer yet just one percent of the national spend on cancer research has been allocated to this devastating disease since records began in 2002.

Brain Tumour Research is the only national charity focused on finding a cure for all types of brain tumours.

“This disease is indiscriminate; it can affect anyone at any age. Tom had always been fit and healthy, his diagnosis was a devastating shock which had no symptoms or warning signs beforehand. Tom is so deeply missed,” Kate added.

“Training and fundraising for this run is a really supportive focus for us during these painful early months of readjusting to life without him.

“Our team would like to thank all those who’ve kindly already donated to Brain Tumour Research. We’ve been touched by the enormous generosity we’ve seen, which is a testament to Tom’s popularity.”

One of Tom’s childhood friends from nearby Stowey, Paul Robbins, always kept in touch with Tom despite moving to California. He said: “This run is a special tribute for ‘Team Tom’ to take part in, as Tom used to really enjoy running in the Chew Valley area. Donating is a really positive way for us to keep Tom in our hearts.”

More than 300 runners have so far entered the 10km race on Saturday June 7 starting at Bishop Sutton Village Hall at 9.30am.

Donations to support Team Tom’s Just Giving page at: https://www.justgiving.com/team/team-tom-2026