AFTER being diagnosed with an aggressive form of brain tumour, 50-year-old Liam Bergin is refusing to give up and is now hoping to raise as much money as possible for Brain Tumour Research.

The dad-of-three’s diagnosis came after suffering a seizure at home, following a 90km bike ride.

Just over a week later, Liam, who recently moved from Knutsford to Bollington and is head of catering at the University of Manchester, underwent gruelling brain surgery at Salford Royal Hospital to ‘debulk’ the tumour.

The surgery was followed by 30 radiotherapy sessions at The Christie in Manchester.

“One of the truly shocking things when you join the ‘club that no one wants to belong to’ is to realise how old you are, as this is a cancer that kills more children than any other,” Liam said.

“The day after my mother died last year I was diagnosed with a Glioblastoma, an incurable brain tumour with a life expectancy of two to four years - five per cent make it to five years.

“I have three children, Joe, 18, Caitlin, 16, and Esme, 14, and am married to Jen.

“The girls are still at Knutsford Academy and Joe is now at the University of Manchester.”

Liam will be cycling ‘coast to coast’ to raise vital finds for Brain Tumour Research.

He was hoping to walk back, but recent fits have meant that he is now epileptic and with the advice of his oncologist, he’ll be doing the bike ride with ‘what can best be described as an eclectic bunch’, including six teenagers from Knutsford.

“I’m hoping this will be one of the three things I do to raise funds for Brain Tumour Research which, outside of my family and friends, will include my three passions – walking, cycling and cricket.

“The age groups joining me on this challenge include three in their 50s, one in their 40s, and seven aged 19.

“Then, with the great support of Toft Cricket Club in Knutsford, I plan to host a cricket day on September 5.”

According to Brain Tumour Research, more children and adults under the age of 40 die of a brain tumour than any other cancer

Since national cancer spend records began in 2002, £680 million has been invested in breast cancer, yet only £96 million in brain tumours – a difference of £35 million a year over 17 years.

Liam is now on a course of temozolomide (TMZ) chemotherapy and is about to return to work part-time in the University of Manchester catering team.

He said: “Even though I am doing a good job of staying positive, there are definitely times when I reflect on how unfair this is and I occasionally feel sick with nerves.

“But in other ways, the fact that a brain tumour diagnosis is so random makes it easier to deal with.

“I have a history of depression, which has historically involved finding reasons for things to be my fault, but with this, I can’t attribute the blame to anyone.

“I am really not ready to die.

“It scares me not knowing if I’ll see my children grow up.

“We know as a family what it’s like to lose a loved one ahead of their time and the last thing I want is for them to go through it again.

“Besides, I had aspirations to become a grandad and wanted to be around to enjoy my grandchildren.”

Visit justgiving.com/fundraising/liam-bergin5.