Nicolette Richardson, 41, from Twickenham, died just a fortnight after developing a sudden pain in her head on November 16, 2020, which led to the discovery of a glioblastoma brain tumour.
Her severe headache was initially thought to be a migraine, which was not uncommon for Nicolette, who had a physically demanding job as an osteopath and business owner.
She was placed into a coma after which she never recovered.
Nicolette died on November 30, 2020.
After his partner’s death, Austen, 45, took ownership of the osteopath business alongside his own work as an accountant whilst looking after his now eight-year-old daughter Isabella.
Austen said: “I hope this fundraising will be the start of a legacy to remember Nicolette whilst doing something meaningful for the brain tumour community.
“One minute, we were viewing houses where we planned to build a future together, the next, Nicolette was taken ill; suddenly, I was thrust into a world where the mother of my child was fighting for her life.
“I joined Facebook groups for fellow widowers affected by brain tumours and read stories of patients who had gone through radiotherapy, chemotherapy and other treatments.
“I was just so angry and confused.
“Nicolette had zero symptoms, yet our whole lives were turned upside down in just weeks and we were cheated of the chance to have a fair fight against this disease.
“I know it was wrong, but I felt so jealous of people who had time to come to terms with this devastating disease, when for us it felt as quick as ripping off a plaster.”
Nearly 40 per cent of brain tumour patients are diagnosed through A&E.
Just under 13 per cent of those diagnosed with a brain tumour survive beyond five years compared with an average of 54 per cent across all cancers.
Austen added: “Isabella is Nicolette’s mini me and she is now eight years old.
“We have both supported each other to get to where we are today, we try to live with positivity, and we try and honour her mum every single day.
“I’d love for there to one day be a cure for all types of brain tumours so that no one has to experience what we went through.”
Brain Tumour Awareness Month was launched in 2004 by a group of charities that went on to become founding members of Brain Tumour Research.
The charity is marking its 15th anniversary with a month-long programme of events to highlight the devastation caused by the disease which kills more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer.
The month culminates with Wear A Hat Day, one of the UK’s biggest and best-loved brain tumour awareness and fundraising days on Friday, March 28.
Charlie Allsebrook, community development manager for Brain Tumour Research, said: “Nicolette’s story is incredibly moving and we’re grateful to Austen for sharing it with us.
“It’s a stark reminder that brain tumours are indiscriminate; they can affect anyone at any age yet just 1 per cent of the national spend on cancer research has been allocated to this devastating disease since records began in 2002.
“It’s only by working together that we can change this.
“We fully support Austen’s fundraising and would like to thank him and the team at Richmond Osteopaths for their support.”
