Yateley's new town mayor, Cllr John Keane, and Mary Fagan, the Lord-Lieutenant of Hampshire, were the special guests at the official opening of a leading charity’s new offices.

The ribbon was cut at the headquarters of the Samantha Dickson Brain Tumour Trust on Wednesday by Mrs Fagan.

The switch from its former base in Hartley Wintney to Saddlers House in Reading Road, Yateley, is yet more evidence of the stunning success of a charity born out of personal tragedy.

The trust was set up in 1997 by parents Neil and Angela Dickson after their daughter Samantha, 16, a pupil at St Nicholas' School in Fleet, died from a brain tumour.

Neil and Angela vowed they would do all they could to prevent other parents having to go through such heartache.

And now, from their brand new offices, they are able to look back proudly at the impact the trust has made in its first 11 years.

Throughout the day, people and businesses were invited to view the new offices and find out more about the charity.

It is the only charity in Europe that dedicates all of its money to research into brain tumours.

Mrs Dickson, the charity’s trustee, and Mr Dickson, the chairman, were keen to spread the word at the opening.

“We wanted to invite people to come in and have a look and let them know we are here,” said Mrs Dickson.

“It is a national charity on their doorstep.”

People and businesses that have supported the charity over the years attended the opening, along with those who have lost loved ones.

Regular donators like Aspire Beauty and Tanning, Clarke and Son, Mary Gober International, St Nicholas’ School and Visual I’s were also there.

Many of the businesses chose the trust as their charity of the year, making significant contributions.

The day provided examples of the research carried out by the trust, plus information on patient support and general consultation.

The Dicksons decided that Yateley was a good site for their HQ as it is handily placed for Frimley Park Hospital and within a reasonable distance of many large towns.

The trust now leads the way in breaking research and raises at least £800,000 a year.

Neil said: “We raised £1.2million between April 1 2007 and March 31 2008, a new record. Each year we have had continuous growth.

“We raised this through donations and various events.

“We held a ball at the Dorchester Hotel in London in November 2007, a golf day in October 2007 and a cricket match in July 2007.”

The Dorchester tea party alone raised £20,000.

The trust has a unique way of fundraising. It has 43 umbrella groups successfully raising money.

Scattered across the country they are made up of people who have lost a loved one to a brain tumour.

Mrs Dickson said: “They choose where the money goes. It is important to me that no admin costs are paid for.

“All money goes directly to the charity.”

The trust’s biggest donation of £50,000 happened during their record breaking £1.2m fundraising year.

It was generously given by someone who had lost a nephew to a brain tumour.

Generally, voluntary donations given outside of fund-raising events range from £50 to £5,000.

Mrs Dickson said: “We lost Samantha when she was 16.

“She was a very bubbly and active girl and suddenly her life was cut short. She was a very capable girl and then she suddenly started to get migraines and blank stares.

“We wanted funds to go directly to brain tumours. At the time there was no brain tumour charity.

“It is the second most common cancer that kills children after leukaemia,” she said.

The trust has funded 45 research projects and provides  specialist advice.

Mr Dickson said: “We have gained national approval and will provide guidelines to GPs so they can recognise the symptoms of children suffering from a tumour.

“This £200,000 project will save ten to 15 children a year as faster diagnosis will be possible.

“At the moment it can take anything from six to nine months to diagnose someone with a brain tumour.

“It took doctors ten months to diagnose Samantha,” said Neil. The research funded by the charity has made amazing discoveries that give those with loved ones suffering from a brain tumour accurate information.

The research funded by the charity discovered there are ten to 12 types of brain tumour, and accurate diagnosis of tumour types is now available.

As a result, it is possible to receive a tailored treatment to each progression of the illness, according to the genetic make-up.

The research has provided invaluable knowledge that enables the trust to give parent support to thousands of families, making sure they are given the right advice and referrals.

“We provide them with vital information,” said Neil. “We have access to leading experts.

“We give people hope. Not false hope, realistic hope.”

For more information on the Samantha Dickson Brain Tumour Trust or to make a donation telephone 0845 130 9744, or log on to the website  www.braintumourtrust.co.uk.

Alternatively, you can email enquiries@sdbtt.co.uk.