THE NEXT CHAPTER

It is with much sadness that I will be retiring as Chief Executive on 30th June 2023. This was a difficult decision for me having been diagnosed with low-grade abdominal cancer, followed by extensive surgery in September 2022. I am now much stronger, but will need annual scans and blood tests.

I have always committed 100% of my energies to the success of the Charity and our shared vision of finding a cure for all types of brain tumours but on returning to phased and then full-time work, I realised that I no longer have the energy to lead the Charity in the way that I would like and need to.

In the interest of the Charity and its future growth and for the sake of my family, I am therefore stepping down but am delighted to be able to continue to serve the Charity as a Trustee. I look forward to continuing to work with Ashley Bailey, Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Finance and Operations, who will take on the role of Interim Chief Executive whilst the Trustees recruit my replacement. He is supported by a strong leadership team.

Help Us

to continue to fund life-saving research

One in three know someone affected by a brain tumour

Having worked pro-bono for the Charity and, with the support of Justin, my husband, underwritten start-up costs as we set up and grew the Charity in its first two years this has been more than a job; it is a passion. So in my retirement year and in lieu of gifts I will be participating in several fundraising ventures to raise money for Brain Tumour Research and hopefully raise enough for a tile on the Wall of Hope at our new Centre of Excellence at The Institute of Cancer Research where they are researching to advance treatments for the deadliest of childhood cancers, including diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) –the type of brain tumour that took away my beloved niece Alison Phelan, three weeks before her eighth birthday on 7th June 2001.

I have met so many wonderful people over the years, too many to mention – but you know who you are! I would like to single out one of our Trustees, Nigel Boutwood who founded the Charity with me, alongside fellow Trustees Wendy Fulcher (Chairman) and Sandy Saunders (President). I met Nigel in November 2000, three months after Ali had been diagnosed, he founded the UK’s first researchfocused brain tumour charity, Charlie’s Challenge in 1993, following the diagnosis of his son Charlie with a medulloblastoma when he was just 20 months old.

His stamina and passion for the cause surpasses all others. Charlie is now a successful young man who is getting married next year and this year they are celebrating the 30th anniversary of their Charity – amazing. I look forward to continuing to work alongside Nigel on the Board.

My time in both founding and growing this unique Charity has been thoroughly enjoyable. Although tinged with emotion because of the reason we are here, it has provided the most fulfilling years of my life so far. I am very proud of all we have achieved together, especially through establishing the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Brain Tumours (APPGBT) and shining a light on the historic underfunding of brain tumour research – we are making a difference. I look forward to being able to support the next chapter of the growth of Brain Tumour Research as a Trustee and community activist.

I have been overwhelmed by the many emails, texts and messages I have received since announcing my retirement and will not be a stranger.

Please continue to support the Charity in whatever way you can and engage your clubs, schools and organisations. Our fifth and sixth Centres are in sight if we can keep growing our income by at least another £1 million a year, each year.

Together we will find a cure

If you would like to make a donation to the Charity through my ‘retirement fundraiser’ and leave me a message, I would be delighted. www.justgiving.com/ page/sue-farrington-smith1682453902610

Just 1% of the national spend on cancer research has been allocated to this devastating disease

Sue Farrington Smith MBE Retiring Chief Executive