How [Insert your name: e.g. Lucy] went Bandanas for Brain Tumours Day

with [explanation of event e.g. a challenging sponsored swim] and raised £xxx

[Your name e.g. Lucy Swift] of [area and town e.g. Thornbury, South Gloucestershire] has raised £xxxx in support of brain tumour patients and their families following a [description of event e.g. sponsored swim wearing a bandana] on [date]. The event was held in support of ‘Bandanas for Brain Tumours Day’ on March 4, when people from all over the country wore bandanasto raise awareness and fundsfor Brain Tumour Support, the charity dedicated to specialist support for anyone affected by any type of brain tumour.

Name e.g. Lucywas inspired to support the event and fundraise because of ..../after .....[e.g. losing her mother/father/sister/brother, name, to a brain tumour in year]. Perhaps add some details e.g. After her brother's diagnosis Lucy experienced first-hand the way that a brain tumour diagnosis affects patients and families and the life-changing effects that a brain tumour brings. Both [name] and Lucy and her family received support from Brain Tumour Support, who provided x and x [e.g. one-to-one support, group support, information]. [You may wish to add more detail about the person concerned - where they lived, their age, their occupation etc].

Add a quote here that sums up your story e.g. "Being told that you have a brain tumour and all the life-changes that follow can be devastating, both for the patient and their families, friends and carers". explains Lucy. "We were so fortunate to be put in touch with Brain Tumour Support, as we no longer felt alone and its team helped us with every question we had and all the support we needed. I hope that through my fundraising, other patients and families can be helped by the charity."

This is the fourth year in which Brain Tumour Support has run its Bandana campaign during March, which is designated Brain Tumour Awareness Month.

Through the event the charity aims to increase understanding of brain tumours and their life-changing effects on patients and families, to make people who are coping with a diagnosis aware that Brain Tumour Support is there to ensure that no-one feels alone and without support and information. The vital funds raised will enable more people to access help and advice.

Alongside getting involved in fundraising events people were able to show their support by wearing a bandana - either their own or one of the charity's own specially designed bandanas which were sold online.

Monies raised from fundraising events will enable Brain Tumour Support to help more brain tumour patients, their families, carers and loved ones who are facing and coping with a brain tumour diagnosis. Whilst demand for its support is growing each year, the charity receives no statutory funding and relies solely on voluntary donations to raise the funds it needs to provide its services.

Every year some 16,000 people in the UK will be diagnosed with a brain tumour. Brain tumours are now the second most common cause of death from cancer in under 40’s and the most common solid tumour found in children, having overtaken leukaemia as the biggest killer of children in the UK. There is no clear cause and no cure. Some brain tumours can now be treated or controlled by surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy, but even those who are lucky enough to survive are likely to experience life changing effects, both physical and emotional.

Tina Mitchell Skinner, Chief Executive of Brain Tumour Support, who founded the charity in 2003 after she lost her husband Paul to a brain tumour, when he was aged just 37, has thanked [Lucy] for her support and hopes that other people will also be inspired to fundraise for the charity.

Tina says: [Please contact Brain Tumour Support directly for a quote, and a tailored comment written about your fundraising will be promptly provided for you to use in this release].

It was from experiencing the lack of support available during Paul's illness that inspired Tina to start providing help, initially just from her living room. The charity now runs 14 support groups across the South West and Midlands and its specialist Brain Tumour Support Workers and counsellors help those affected by a brain tumour diagnosis, with practical guidance, emotional support, information about treatment, help coping with bereavement and much more, for as long as they are needed.

People who would like to contribute to the Bandanas for Brain Tumours campaign can still do so through Lucy’s VirginMoneyGiving page [insert details of online donation site e.g.VirginMoneyGiving/JustGiving / MyCharityPage etc]

More information on Brain Tumour Support and its work can be found through the charity's website Anyone who would like to fundraise for the charity is invited to call the fundraising team on 01454 414355.

Ends.

For further information please contact:

[Your name, telephone number(s) and email address]

or

Helen Silverthorn, Brain Tumour Support

Tel: 01454 414355 or email:

Date of issue: [add the date you send out here]