FUNDRAISERS DOING IT THEIR WAY

From fitness fundraising feats, challenges for special occasions, large-scale events or even turning a hobby into cash to help find a cure – there really are no limits to how you can support Brain Tumour Research.

Teenager Ella Marsh celebrated with a difference when she set out to achieve a series of 16 challenges before her 16th birthday. ‘Challenge 16’ was inspired by her grandad Colin, who died from a brain tumour in 2011.

Ella’s adventures included completing a 16km triathlon, hitting 16 golds in archery, delivering a 16-minute lecture, painting 16 landscapes, piloting a plane for 16 minutes and doing a skydive. Her endeavours raised nearly £3,000 and Ella said her adventure-seeking grandad would be “extremely proud”.

Inset images

Left: After her skydive. Centre: Hitting 16 golds

Right: With Grandad Colin

Keen basketball player Andi Peel was just 30 when he died in January 2023, following a threeyear battle with a glioblastoma (GBM). Inspired by his journey, Andi’s family and friends have raised more than £18,000

His best friend Ross Bland organised the second Andi Peel Charity Basketball Match, which was held at the Leicester Riders’ stadium in April 2023. Ross said: “We held the first charity match last year when Andi was still with us so this one had added poignancy. There was a minute’s applause for Andi at the start of

Andi and Linda before Andi’s diagnosis

funds.

to do as much as I can to raise awareness of brain tumours.”

Days before the match, Andi’s mum Linda braved the heat and took on a firewalk. She said: “I wanted to do a real challenge that would take me out of my comfort zone.

Andi was my inspiration for this and I know it was something he would have loved to do.”

Terry Holden was diagnosed with a meningioma in 2001 and lives with the lifelong effects of his tumour. Tragically, the 73-year-old also lost his daughter Emma to the disease in 2009, aged 33.

During lockdown in October 2020, Terry began writing about his childhood growing up and living on a golf course. Eventually, his notes became a book which he called Links Across the Common which he decided to sell to raise funds for Brain Tumour Research

Below: Terry with his book

Right: Terry with wife

Anne and daughters

Emma and Jenny

Thank you for your support

Centre: Andi supported Brain Tumour Research.

Below: Ross in action.

Some of Abi’s cards

After she was diagnosed with a glioma at the age of 24, Abi Smith embarked on a new venture, setting up a business making and selling greetings cards for people going through cancer treatment. The Cancer Card has so far raised more than £1,000 for Brain Tumour Research

Abi

Set Up A Business

Abi said: “All I ever wanted from this venture was to help brighten at least one person’s day. Plus, raise money for research that in years to come will find a cure for this disease and make a diagnosis like mine much less daunting.”

Fundraise your way and help us bring hope to the one in three people who know someone affected by this devastating disease: www.braintumourresearch.org/ fundraise-for-us

Abi working on designs