University Of Nottingham Alumna Prepares For A Marathon For Cancer Charity
A former University of Nottingham student is preparing to run a marathon to raise awareness and funds for people whose lives, like her own, have been affected by brain tumours.
Flora Bouchier, who graduated with a MEng degree in Chemical Engineering in 2022, is in training to run the Manchester Marathon on 16 April 2023 in aid of Brain Tumour Research.
Diagnosed with grade 1 glioneuronal in April 2016 after experiencing nausea, hot flushes and partial seizures, Flora underwent surgery to have the tumour removed but suffered from post-operative depression, which had a severe impact on her life.
After my diagnosis and surgery, I became very lethargic and didn’t do any exercise for a year. It was only when I went to university and started playing rugby that I got back into sport. Now I cycle, run, play tag rugby and five-a-side football, so I really enjoy being able to be active.
Flora Bouchier
Flora continued: “I was one of the lucky ones because my tumour was successfully removed and it was low grade, but I hadn’t realised the long-term impact it would have on me. It really affected my latter school years and my first couple of years at university. Luckily, I managed to get over that and got a first in my degree, but for a few years I struggled with tiredness and my emotions in the aftermath of dealing with everything.”
Now living in West Didsbury, Manchester, Flora has been training with her friend, Beth Moore, who will also be taking part in the marathon with her.
She added: “I want to do it to prove that I can. I’m lucky to be living a completely normal life now, not held back by my previous health issues, but I know I’m one of just a small number of people for whom that’s the case. If by raising awareness and funds I can avoid someone going through a similar situation to me or the many other brain tumour patients I read about, then that’s the goal.
Flora Bouchier
When it’s cold, wet and windy and I don’t want to go out running, I remember what I’m doing it for and that makes it easier.
Flora Bouchier
During her time at the University of Nottingham, Flora won a prestigious Salters Institute Prize, which celebrates the achievements of undergraduate students in chemical engineering or chemistry.
Flora is an exceptionally gifted and generous individual, who has taken her own experiences and turned them into a force for good. During her time at Nottingham, Flora wasn’t only an outstanding student, but she was also an inspirational fundraising champion for local health and support charities, so it’s no surprise that she’s continuing to raise awareness and funds for charities close to her heart. I’d like to take the opportunity to wish her the best of luck in her marathon.
Chris Dodds, Head of the Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering at the University of Nottingham
Charlie Allsebrook, community development manager for Brain Tumour Research, said: “We’ve been following Flora’s progress for years and are really pleased to see her doing so well. Sadly, this isn’t the case for many other patients. Brain tumours kill more children than leukaemia and any other cancer yet, historically, just one per cent of the national spend on cancer research has been allocated to this devastating disease.
“We’re determined to change this and are grateful to Flora for taking on this challenge to help make that possible. We wish her the best of luck with her training and look forward to cheering her across the finish line on race day.”