Katie Mosses and Lucy Knight
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Heartbreaking stories inspire brain tumour fundraisers
By Amy TaylorDecember 31, 2012
FOR the families of a brain tumour victim, fundraising in their memory becomes a daily focus and a way of making some good come from the loss.
Large or small, their ways of raising money all have one thing in common – they are uniquely personal and are fuelled by the drive that can only come from grief.
Their stories are heartbreaking and frustrating in equal measure, and no one hearing them can help but be moved by the perseverance of the families who work so hard to push for better funding, increased awareness and fewer delays in diagnosing the tumours.
The final week of the News & Mail's Christmas appeal for The Brain Tumour Charity is focusing on how people are raising money to continue its good work.
For the team that works at the Farnborough headquarters of the charity, no matter how many times they hear the stories, they never become immune to their effects. Charity begins at home, and for the dedicated team of paid staff and volunteers, their jobs are not just from nine to five.
Over the last 12 months they have pounded the pavements in training for marathons, mingled with Olympic athletes, lobbied politicians and organised star-studded dinners all to promote the work of the charity.
In 2013, the team will reach new heights of fundraising by taking part in a skydive – an event which has captured the attention of other charity-minded individuals, including some of our own News & Mail reporters.
Tim Harris will join the skydiving team in February, deciding to get involved after hearing about the work of the charity.
“We have been running this campaign for six weeks, and every week we have heard from a mother who has lost her child to a brain tumour, or a survivor who had to wait for months to find out what was wrong with them because no one knew,” said Tim.
“Nothing could be as scary as having to wait for a cancer diagnosis, so if they can go through that and still have the energy to fundraise, then we can jump out of a plane to do our bit.”
Lucy Knight is head of fundraising at The Brain Tumour Charity and will take to the skies with the team.
Her colleague, Lizzie Allinson, media officer, said: “I’m doing this because however terrifying it is, it’s a lot less terrifying than the idea of being told that my daughter has a brain tumour.
“Working at The Brain Tumour Charity, I see first hand how the funds are used to fund world class research into brain tumours and the real impact this can have on people’s lives. We’re making breakthroughs all the time, but it is only by increasing the money spent on research into brain tumours that we can help more people.”
Another team member will keep her feet safely on the ground for her fundraising mission. Katie Mosses, who is the charity’s supporting groups officer, will walk along the Great Wall of China next year.
To get involved with fundraising or to suggest new ideas, call 01252 749043 or email fundraising@thebraintumourcharity.org.
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