Queen’s Hospital Midwife to walk from London to Brighton in memory of her niece.

A midwife and her husband are walking from London to Brighton in memory of their niece who tragically died following a long battle with a brain tumour.

Maddi and Jon Cooper, 40 and 41 respectively, of Gravel Lane, Chigwell Row, will attempt the 100km (62 mile) route on May 25-26 for their much-loved niece Mia Horne and raise money for The Brain Tumour Charity. The trek is said to take 19 hours over two days.

Mia was first diagnosed with an optic nerve glioma when just five-years-old, subsequently enduring more than three and half years of chemotherapy and around 14 surgeries (to slow the growth of the tumour). In 2020, aged just 14, Mia finally lost her battle with the tumour having fought like an absolute hero for so long.

Mia leaves behind father Ashley, mother Michelle and younger sister Ruby. She enjoyed music, arts and crafts and was very popular at her school in Canvey Island.

Maddi, a midwife at Queen’s Hospital, Romford, said: “We’ve been thinking about doing this challenge for a long time. Mia would have been 19 this year and we aren’t getting any younger, so it feels like a great time to take on the challenge and raise as much money as possible for a fantastic cause.”

Mother-of-four Maddi added: “All the midwives have been supporting me and I’ve been walking to the hospital instead of driving on certain days to try and build up my stamina.”

Jon, a data specialist working in banking, said: “Mia would light up a room and left a big impression on everyone she met. We’re walking in her honour and memory, but also to help fund research into cures and treatments that will reduce the devastating impact that brain tumours have on children in the future”.

They will join 2,000 participants and take on the “London 2 Brighton Ultra Challenge” starting at Richmond-Upon-Thames, passing through the North Downs, Turners Hill, the South Downs and eventually finishing in Brighton.

The couple, who have been married for ten years, said: “We’ll unwind on the beach, get an ice cream and than head back home on the train as we will be completely shattered knowing we’ve made a difference.”

In memory of Mia.

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