Duo to take on marathon in memory of Louie
Joe Diamond and stepdad Tony Palmieri, from Loughborough, will tackle the London Marathon on Sunday.
They will be raising funds for the Brain Tumour Charity – a year after Joe lost his brother Louie, 18, to an undiagnosed brain tumour.
Louie was a first-year student at Lincoln University, studying architecture. After he started to experience headaches, and balance issues, he had some initial medical tests. But last March, before more tests could be carried out, Louie started to feel faint, and had pins and needles while watching TV one Friday evening. After coming in and out of consciousness, he was rushed to hospital. On arrival at Lincoln County Hospital, it was discovered that he had dangerous pressure on his brain. He was transferred to Queen’s Medical Centre, Nottingham, for specialist neurological care, but tragically passed away just three days later.
Louie’s family are passionate about raising better awareness of brain tumour symptoms and have thrown themselves into fundraising for The Brain Tumour Charity since he died.
Joe, a Senior Partnership Manager at Aston Martin Formula One, said: “Louie was very fit and loved his gym work and playing football - he was in great shape. Although he was having tests for his balance issues, at no point did we suspect he might have a brain tumour.
“He was a bright, funny and incredibly loved member of our family, and a shining light in the lives of all who were lucky enough to meet him.
“Louie was an incredibly generous and kind hearted person. He volunteered with younger kids at football coaching and was incredible with customers at the family’s café, Casa Café, in Loughborough. He was always ready to help people and was wise beyond his years.
“While our hearts remain broken, we made the choice as a family to raise funds and awareness because we know, if this had happened to anyone else, Louie would be the first person at the start line, ready to get involved.”
Fundraising is going very well. Joe and Tony have already raised over £6,000, surpassing their original £5,400 target.
https://www.justgiving.com/ fundraising/Tony-Palmieri11