Bury St Edmunds parents Steve Morrissey and Ali Slaymaker who died weeks apart inspire 280-mile cycle ride in aid of Brain Tumour Research

Suffolk parents who died from brain tumours just weeks apart, leaving behind their only daughter, have inspired a 280-mile cycle ride to help find a cure for the disease.

London-born Steve Morrissey, who moved to Bury St Edmunds aged 10, was diagnosed with a glioblastoma (GBM) at the same time as Ali Slaymaker, the mother of his 13-year-old daughter, was living with a brain tumour as a result of a previous cancer diagnosis.

Steve, 50, collapsed at home before being rushed to hospital. An MRI scan in July 2022 found three tumours on his brain.

The senior sales manager for Treatt PLC had surgery followed by radiotherapy and chemotherapy, which caused him to develop painful mouth ulcers.

Steve’s cancer was aggressive and he died on October 12 at Hospiscare in Exeter, Devon, where he had travelled with his daughter to spend the final weeks of his life surrounded by family.

Ali was 49 when she died of a brain tumour on August 24, having previously received treatment for breast cancer.

Steve’s nephew Ben Brown, 32, of Cullompton, in Devon, said: “Our family has experienced so much heartache because of the lack of treatment options for brain tumour patients. It’s devastated our family. I think I’m still processing the shock of losing my uncle Steve so soon after Ali.”

One in three people know someone affected by a brain tumour and just 12 per cent of those diagnosed with a high-grade brain tumour, like Steve, survive beyond five years compared with an average of 54 per cent across all cancers.

Steve’s family and friends are channelling their grief into help finding a cure for the disease.

‘Steve’s Ride’ is a 280-mile cycle over four days, setting off on June 6. It will commemorate Steve and his daughter’s final journey together from Bury to Devon.

Construction manager, Ben, said: “It was important to plan a challenge the whole family could take part in. I wanted it to be something where you have to put effort into the organising and doing.

“I bought my first bike in December. The maximum distance I’ve reached so far is around 30 miles, so I know it’s going to be tough. The strength my little cousin has shown is incredible and she is going to be setting us off at the start line and cycling with us for the final leg.”

Ben added: “We’re a close family and this disease has brought us even closer. By the end of his life, Steve was taking 15 tablets a day. It was horrible to see someone you love and look up to deteriorate in front of your eyes.

“Steve took everything in his stride and knew he was going to die and was still smiling and putting a brave face on for all his family and friends.

“I’m angry that he is no longer here. We’re in 2024, there has to be better treatment options for brain tumour patients, they are surely worth more than the one per cent funding brain tumour research currently receives.”

To donate to Brain Tumour Research via Ben’s fund-raiser, go to www.justgiving.com/page/stevesride

Louise Aubrey, community development manager at Brain Tumour Research, said: “We’re sending our thoughts to Steve and Ali’s family and are so grateful to Ben for sharing his family’s experience of brain tumours.

“The causes of brain tumours are still largely unknown and much more research and investment are needed to unravel the origins of all types of brain tumours in order to get us closer to a cure.”

Brain Tumour Research funds sustainable research and campaigns for the Government and larger cancer charities to invest more in research into brain tumours.