Musician who played guitar during brain surgery launches fundraising effort

A musician, notable for playing the guitar during an operation to remove a brain tumour, has embarked on a month-long initiative to generate funds for research. Colin Miller, a resident of Herne Bay in Kent, is undertaking a 99-mile (160km) walk throughout November to collect donations for Brain Tumour Research. The amateur musician performed on his acoustic guitar during an eight-hour procedure to extract the tumour at King’s College Hospital in London during 2023. Mr. Miller recounted: “So not to lose mobility in my hand and fingers, they asked me to bring in my guitar and I was woken up part way through my surgery and played different tunes.” Mr. Miller, previously an IT consultant, received a diagnosis of a life-limiting glioblastoma in October 2023. This occurred after experiencing a spasm on the left side of his face while returning from a holiday in Cyprus. The 64-year-old, who has completed 65 of his planned 99 miles, stated: “I’ve always been keen on walking and for this challenge I have a spreadsheet of all my walks so far, and I’m averaging six miles each day. “I had to give up my driving license, but I can still move my body, and I feel blessed to be able to do so in support of the brain tumour community.”