PIONEER reporter Matthew Chandler is paying tribute to his aunt, after she tragically passed away earlier this year.

Matthew, 24, will be running the Aintree half-marathon at the beginning of October to help raise money for The Brain Tumour Charity.

His aunt, Fiona, passed away in June after being diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2020.

Matthew said his aunt was 'very interested in other people's lives, and she was very creative, too.'

North Wales Pioneer: Fiona was a beloved member of the family, and Matthew remembers her as - amongst other things - 'a great cook'Fiona was a beloved member of the family, and Matthew remembers her as - amongst other things - 'a great cook' (Image: Matthew Chandler)

Fiona passed away aged 54, on June 19 this year - leaving behind her husband Mike, and her sons James, Ed, and Tom.

Matthew, originally from Stockton Heath but now living and working in North Wales, said that he finds running to be therapeutic, and he recalls going for a particularly long run after his aunt passed away, which he found 'cleared [his] head.'

As a keen runner, Matthew wanted to combine his enthusiasm for running along with his wish to make something positive out of such a tragic time for his family.

He said: "Raising money for The Brain Tumour Charity isn't going to help my aunt, because she's gone now, but if it can help others then that's the main thing."

There were collections for the charity at Fiona's funeral, and Matthew wants to raise funds and awareness for the charity.

He has currently raised more than £660, but said it would be great to hit £1,000 - adding that he has been taken aback by the generosity of others.

Matthew added: "My aunt kept going - even until two weeks before she died.

"She was very resilient, and never complained about her diagnosis.

"She was upbeat, and very caring."

Matthew is set to run the half-marathon on October 2, in Aintree - if you'd like to donate to his fundraiser you can do so here.