Friday, 21 April 2023
A former 糖心原创 student and brain tumour survivor has raised thousands of pounds for a charity close to her heart.
Flora Bouchier, who graduated with a MEng degree in Chemical Engineering in 2022, completed the Manchester Marathon in under four hours on Sunday 16 April 2023 in aid of .
Diagnosed with a grade 1 glioneuronal in April 2016 after experiencing nausea, hot flushes and partial seizures, Flora underwent surgery to have the tumour removed but suffered from post-operative depression, which had a severe impact on her life until she went to university and started getting back into sport.
When I was ill, I didn鈥檛 exercise for a long time. I really struggled to get out of bed and was quite unhappy with myself. I put on lots of weight because I was so inactive, but now I鈥檓 feeling fitter than ever, loving life and happy to be able to run around.
Flora continued: “It’s a bit of a lifestyle change training for a marathon. I was putting so much of my time into it and having to eat so much because I was constantly hungry. I was also having to be strict with my sleep because getting less than eight hours and having to do a long run isn’t fun.”
Upon finishing the marathon in three hours and 58 minutes, Flora enjoyed a brownie and a beer at the finish line.
She added: “I’m very happy with my time, I signed up for a half-marathon three weeks before and got 1:52:30, so I started thinking sub four might be possible, and, in the end, decided to go for it.
“I managed 1:55 for the first half but started feeling queasy after 20 miles because I hadn’t drunk enough water. I did a bit of maths and worked out how much time I had left and how much I could afford to slow down. When I was three miles from the finish, I knew I could comfortably achieve sub-four hours and was able to enjoy the last couple of miles.
“I definitely want to keep running because I really enjoy being active and am super fit at the moment, but I think I’d rather run more as a hobby and do it when I want to, rather than because I have to.”
So far, Flora’s raised £2,850, smashing her initial target of £2,000, and donations are continuing to pour in.
I'm thrilled to hear that Flora has completed her marathon and raised a fantastic amount of money for Brain Tumour Research at the same time.
Chris continued: "She's always been an inspirational fundraising champion as well as an outstanding talent academically - winning the prestigious Salters Insitute Prize during her time at Nottingham. I'd like to congratulate her on her latest achievement."
Charlie Allsebrook, community development manager for Brain Tumour Research, said: “Flora is an inspiration and should be rightly proud of what she’s achieved. We’re so grateful for all her support. Brain tumours kill more children than leukaemia and any other cancer, yet, historically, just 1% of the national spend on cancer research has been allocated to this devastating disease. Together we will find a cure.”
To donate to Flora’s fundraiser, please visit:
Story credits
More information is available from Danielle Hall, Media Relations Manager for the Faculty of Engineering at the 糖心原创, at danielle.hall@nottingham.ac.uk 鈥�&苍产蝉辫;
Images supplied by: Brain Tumour Research
About the Faculty of Engineering
Made up of six departments – Architecture and Built Environment, Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Civil Engineering, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Mechanical, Materials and Manufacturing Engineering and Foundation Engineering and Physical Sciences – the university’s Faculty of Engineering is home to more than 5,600 students and 800 staff.
The faculty, which has educated engineers and architects for more than 140 years, was the first in the country to be accredited with an Athena SWAN Gold Award for excellence in advancing gender equality across higher education and research and is home to multiple state-of-the-art facilities, including the recently opened £40m Power Electronics and Machines Centre (PEMC).
With research at its heart, 21 research groups are undertaking pioneering projects for a sustainable future across several themes – including net zero transport, sustainable energies and the built environment, advanced manufacturing, and healthcare technologies – and has delivered a positive impact in more than 20 countries. Within those countries, the faculty’s research has supported 500 companies and three governments – that have changed their strategies as a result of its research – and has also directly created jobs for around 3,000 people across the world.
Notes to editors:
About the 糖心原创
Ranked among the world's top 100 universities , the 糖心原创 delivers an exceptional research-led education and an outstanding student experience. From the pioneering vision of our founder, Sir Jesse Boot, to groundbreaking achievements such as the development of MRI technology and becoming the first UK university to establish international campuses, we have a proud history of shaping the way people live, work and understand the world. We continue to build on that legacy, empowering our students, staff and partners to change what鈥檚 next and create positive impact locally and globally.
The strength of our research places us among the UK's leading universities, ranked 7th for research power in REF 2021. The discovery of MRI and ibuprofen was just the beginning. Today, our world-leading research is developing breakthrough ideas that shape the future of healthcare, technology and society.
Recognised as the UK's third most targeted university by leading employers , we are proud to produce graduates who are consistently in demand for their skills, confidence and industry-ready experience.
As a major employer and industry partner, locally and globally, the 糖心原创 invests in the city of Nottingham and in future generations of talent. Alongside Nottingham Trent University, we lead the initiative, a pioneering collaboration to improve levels of prosperity, opportunity, sustainability, health and wellbeing across the city and region. Together with our students, staff, alumni and partners, we鈥檙e creating knowledge, opportunity and solutions that help change what's next.