A DAD whose wife died of a brain tumour after childbirth is taking on a mountainous challenge to raise funds for neurological research.

Brian Cairns, 39, was left devastated in August last year when his wife Maggie died at the age of 34 after giving birth to their daughter Isla.

Despite suffering from psoriatic arthritis, which causes painful inflammation around the joints, Maggie had remained reasonably healthy throughout most of her pregnancy.

But, shortly after Isla’s birth, she had to be rushed to a special neurology unit as doctors had discovered a tumour deep in her head.

Maggie went through several operations to reduce the swelling to her brain but had suffered so much damage that her quality of life was left severely impaired.

As a result, Brian made the heartbreaking decision that she should be allowed to pass away peacefully.

Now he is on a mission to raise awareness of the type of condition that claimed Maggie’s life, as well as raising funds to pay for vital research.

In October, Brian will stage a sponsored climb of the UK’s highest peaks, with the memory of happy times spent with Maggie providing him with inspiration every step of the way.

The gruelling challenge will see him attempt to scale Ben Nevis, in Scotland; Snowdon, in Wales; Scafell Pike, in England; Slieve Donard, in Northern Ireland; and Carrauntoohill, in the Republic of Ireland; all within the space of 24 hours, to raise cash for the Brain Research Trust (BRT).

Brian, who lives in the Hunterhill area of Paisley, told The Gazette: “I want to help families who are going through a similar situation that I experienced and, hopefully, help them to avoid the tragedy I had to go through.

“There is not enough awareness when it comes to brain conditions.

“Maggie had bad migraines and they did get worse during her pregnancy but I just thought that was something she was going to experience anyway.

“She had a disability and I was her carer for that but she was always independent and fierce, there was nothing untoward.

“Most of the signs are things that could happen to anyone. I hope research can improve so that people can know more definite signs of a brain problem.”

Every year, around 11,000 people in the UK are diagnosed with brain tumours and they can strike at any age, according to the BRT.

Signs can include headaches, seizures, nausea, vomiting, sleep or memory problems and changes in speech and vision.

This will be the first time Brian has taken on such a difficult fundraising challenge but he is determined to go the distance.

He said: “I have always enjoyed hiking in the Braes above Paisley but I’ve never done anything on this scale before.”

To support Brian’s efforts, visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/MoneyForMaggie