A tennis coach from London, whose sporting peer died of a brain tumour when they were both teenagers, is running the TCS London Marathon to help find a cure for the disease.
Vaishali Jorge, 26, is running the iconic race in April to raise funds on our behalf. It is in memory of a childhood friend, Rashard Henry from Wandsworth, who died of a diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) when he was only 13.
Part-time tennis coach and recruitment consultant Vaishali said: “Rashard was an incredibly talented tennis player who was hopeful of winning Wimbledon one day. Right up until the time he was diagnosed, he was one of the best tennis players at the club, and had a promising career ahead of him.”
The pair met at Tennis Avenue Academy in 2012, quickly forging a friendship rooted in the sport. Vaishali went on to play tennis in America whilst studying at The University of North Georgia.
She said: “There were about 30 of us at the Academy growing up, and we were like a family. Rashard and the others were all younger than me, so I felt like a big sister.
“Rashard lived his life to the fullest and was a hard worker. At his funeral they played a video of him being interviewed on TV and, when asked what message he had for his tennis family, he reminded us to keep chasing our dreams and work hard – which is a message I carry with me in life, especially when some training days feel harder than others.”
A training run around Hyde Park on 28ᵗʰ December – on what should have been Rashard’s 22ⁿᵈ birthday – saw Vaishali’s fundraiser hit £2,000.
As she gears up to run the marathon in April, you can help boost Vaishali’s fundraiser on JustGiving. Alternatively, you can get involved and see what events are happening near you.
Related reading:
- How you can help find a cure
- Baby’s brain tumour mistaken for milk allergy inspires father’s marathon run
Published Thursday 30ᵗʰ January 2025.