A MUM of three living with brain tumour is inviting youngsters to Captain Tom-inspired charity event.

Katie Galan-Wilkinson is organising the event in Ilminster Recreation Ground as part of the Captain Tom 100 nationwide charity campaign.

In exchange for a donation to the charity Brain Tumour Research, users of the skate park will have the chance to put their hand print on the ramp façade.

Katie said: "The idea is to get at least 100 – and hopefully many more – teenagers and children to make their mark on the skate park.

"It’s a way of honouring Captain Tom’s memory and showing their appreciation of this fantastic local facility."

The Captain Tom 100 campaign encourages fundraisers around the UK to organise events that emulate the late veteran’s heroic lockdown efforts.

Katie, who has an incurable brain tumour, has been an active fundraiser since her diagnosis in 2019.

Most recently, she organised a Walk of Hope from the centre of Ilminster, raising money and awareness for Brain Tumour Research.

She added: "I see this as an opportunity to express Ilminster’s strong community spirit.

"With all their colourful handprints on the skate ramp, it will be a happy spot, where local young people can feel proud to have left their mark."

High 5 to Ilminster runs from 10am to 4pm on Sunday, 23 May - to donate in advance, visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/katies-high-five-to-ilminster-captain-tom-100.

Melanie Tiley, Community Development Manager for Brain Tumour Research said: “Katie’s event to enhance the local skate park is a lovely idea and I am sure one which will be appreciated by young and old for years to come.

“I know she has been inspired by Captain Sir Tom, but Katie herself is a very inspiring lady.

"Having been diagnosed in 2019 with a brain tumour while in late stages of pregnancy, she underwent surgery four days after her third child Mario was born.

"Katie then endured gruelling radiotherapy and chemotherapy treatment and lives with the knowledge that her future is uncertain.

“Brain tumours kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer, yet historically just one per cent of the national spend on cancer research has been allocated to this devastating disease.

“We are very grateful to Katie for all her fundraising endeavours and wish her all the best with this latest one. Together we will find a cure.”