A man who died of brain cancer has inspired a sponsored walk to a brewery to help find a cure for the disease.

Gary Nicholson, of Warmley is organising the trek which sets off from Chepstow on Friday 2 June and finishes at Westons Cider Mill in Much Marcle in aid of the charity Brain Tumour Research after losing his childhood best friend to the disease.

Dave Merry, 56, was diagnosed with an inoperable glioblastoma (GBM) in April 2022, after he experienced spells of confusion. After being violently sick and unable to move an MRI scan revealed the shocking discovery on an inoperable mass on his brain.

Gary said: “We lost one of life’s genuine good guys.”

The 57-year-old electrician has been busy planning the three-day pilgrimage to the home of Dave’s favourite tipple. Dozens of people including two more of Dave’s school friends, Steve Grice and Paul Davis are expected to join along the route. Gary said: “It’d be easier to drive if I’m honest, but there’s no challenge in that so we decided to walk the 40-mile route instead, carrying our camping equipment along the way.”

Gary and Dave first met in primary school more than 50 years ago and shared many of life’s milestone moments together. Gary added: “Everything happened so quickly with Dave.

What he went through was truly horrible for him and his family. He didn’t stand a chance against his cancer. Anything that we can do to help other people from losing their loved ones is very much worth the long 48km hike.”

Dave was placed on steroids to help with the build-up of pressure, however no treatment could contend with the aggressiveness of the tumour. Dave died in July 2022, just three months after he was diagnosed.

Gary said: “When we found out about his diagnosis, we had a get together at the pub and promised to make the most of the time he had left. Dave’s son, Tom is walking with us and his family will join us for a drink and dinner on the last day of our challenge. This feels like a fitting tribute to remember Dave, it’s what he would want.”

One in three people know someone affected by a brain tumour.

Brain tumours kill more men under 70 than prostate cancer, yet just 1% of the national spend on cancer research has been allocated to brain tumours since records began in 2002.

Mel Tiley, community development manager at Brain Tumour Research, said: “We’re sorry to hear about Dave’s diagnosis and very short battle with the disease. His story reminds us that brain tumour are indiscriminate they can affect anyone at any age. With the support of people like Gary and everyone joining him for his walk in Dave’s memory, will bring us closer to finding a cure for this horrible disease.”

Brain Tumour Research funds sustainable research at dedicated centres in the UK. It also campaigns for the Government and larger cancer charities to invest more in research into brain tumours in order to speed up new treatments for patients and, ultimately, to find a cure. The charity is the driving force behind the call for a national annual spend of £35 million in order to improve survival rates and patient outcomes in line with other cancers such as breast cancer and leukaemia.

To donate to Brain Tumour Research via Gary’s fundraiser please visit: justgiving.com/page/gary-nicholson-1681156250556