Famous Supporters
Sheila Hancock
We are ever grateful to Sheila Hancock and her
daughter Melanie, whose son Jack was diagnosed
with a brain tumour when he was four, for the
continued support they show to our cause. Sheila
is patron of member charity Ali's Dream and
Chancellor of the Universityof Portsmouth
where we have our first dedicated brain
tumour research centre. This photo shows all three of them wearing the hats designed by Kate Langrish www.katelangrishmillinery.com especially for this year's Wear A Hat Day campaign.
“No-one can prepare you for how devastating it is when a loved one becomes ill and when Jack was diagnosed with a brain tumour at the age of four, it was devastating for us all. Jack is now an accomplished young man and together we want to help raise awareness of the need for further research into such a distressing form of cancer. My family were lucky but 16,000 people are diagnosed with a brain tumour every year and there desperately needs to be further funding in place to one day find a cure. My family will certainly be showing their support on 30th March for Brain Tumour Research and its member charities ‘Wear a Hat Day’ and hope to see lots of people doing the same.”
Gillian Anderson
Internationally acclaimed actor Gillian Anderson played Special Agent Dana Scully in The X-Files and was last on our screens at Christmas playing Miss Havisham in the BBC adaptation of Great Expectations. Gillian’s brother Aaron was diagnosed with a brain tumour at the age of 27 and sadly lost his battle last year aged 30.
“Brain Tumours kill more children and people under 40 than any other form of cancer and yet research into this devastating disease is seriously underfunded. At best, Research = Cure. At worst, improved outcomes for patients. We need to put more money into research and that is why I’m supporting Brain Tumour Research and their Wear A Hat Day. Please join me and Wear
A Hat on March 30th “
Darren Gough
Former England fast bowler and Yorkshire County Cricket captain Darren Gough won both the 2005 series and Christmas Special of Strictly Come Dancing. He also served as team captain on the first series of Hole in the Wall and is currently presenting the weekday afternoon drive time show on Talksport. Darren has been patron of member charity Ali’s Dream since 2007 and is clear on the need for more research into brain tumours.
“There has been no significant improvement for someone diagnosed with a brain tumour for a generation. If we are to improve outcomes for patients then clearly we must invest in research. Please support Wear a Hat Day and help Brain Tumour Research and its member charities to fund the fight.”
Pete Waterman
Record producer Pete Waterman OBE has scored a total of twenty two UK number one singles with his various acts (including Kylie Minogue, Rick Astley, Bananarama, Steps, Mel and Kim, Donna Summer, Sinitta, Cliff Richard and Jason Donovan and claims upwards of 500 million record sales worldwide. In the New Year's Honours List published on 31st December 2004he was given an OBE for his services to music. Brain Tumour Research is delighted to have such a high profile supporter.
“Wear a Hat Day is a fun way of increasing awareness that anyone can get involved with to support the vital work that Brain Tumour Research is funding. Good luck, have fun and we look forward to seeing your photos.”
Digby Lord Jones
UK Business Ambassador and former Director General of the CBI Digby, Lord Joneswas knighted for his services to business in 2005. In July 2007 he was appointed Minister of State for UK Trade & Investment and became a life peer taking the title Digby, Lord Jones of Birmingham Kt. Now, in addition to his role as an active crossbencher in the House of Lords he serves as Chairman of the International Business Advisory Board at British Airways, Chairman of Triumph Motorcycles Limited, Senior Advisor to HSBC and is Corporate Ambassador for Jaguar Cars and JCB. We are delighted that he has chosen to support our Wear a Hat Day campaign.
“Wear a Hat Day is a fun initiative to help fund vital research into brain tumours. I fully support it and urge you to join me on March 30th by wearing a hat and helping to fund the fight against brain tumours.”
Liz Dawn
Liz Dawn MBE is best known for her role as Vera Duckworth in Coronation Street. First starting in the serial in 1974 her final appearance came on 18 January 2008.
Brain Tumour Research patron Bill Tarmey, who played her on screen husband Jack Duckworth, continued to be a part of the cast of Coronation Street until his departure in November 2010. Liz has said that the hardest thing about leaving Corrie was saying good-bye to Bill.
Once again Jack and Vera are together, this time supporting Brain Tumour Research and our annual Wear a Hat Day.
“I am more than happy to stand alongside Bill promoting this campaign and urge you to support Wear a Hat Day on March 30th. Please help us to fund the fight against brain tumours.”
Jenny Eclair
“The only way to improve outcomes for brain tumour patients is a significant increase in research funding. That’s why I’m Wearing a Hat on March 30th and helping to fund the fight against brain tumours”.
Michael LeVell
Coronation Street veteran Michael Le Vell, has played the role of garage mechanic Kevin Webster, in the ITV soap operasince 1983.
“I had no idea that a man under the age of 45 is more likely to die of a brain tumour than prostate cancer. We need to be funding research to find a cure. We can all help by wearing a hat on March 30th and donating money to Brain Tumour Research.”
Janet Street Porter
Loose Women presenter Janet Street-Porter has worked as a national newspaper columnist since she was 21 and edited the Independent on Sunday. She has been a top television executive as well as a presenter and appeared in all sorts of programmes from I'm a Celebrity and the F Word with Gordon Ramsey to Question Time.
“ This is a very worthy cause and I wish Brain Tumour Research every success in raising awareness and funds on Wear A Hat Day”
Michelle Collins
Michelle Collins hugely successful career has included roles on television in EastEnders, as Cindy Beale, and BBC dramas Sunburn and Two Thousand Acres of Sky. In April 2011, she joined the Coronation Streetcast as Stella Price, new landlady of the Rovers Return.
“Brain tumours are the biggest cancer killer of UKchildren. I urge you to join me in supporting Wear a Hat Day on March 30th. It is only with an increase in research funding that we will improve the prognosis for patients and prevent the tragic loss of young lives.”
CheryLee Houston
CheryLee Houston plays Izzy Armstrong in Coronation Street. She landed the part in 2010 becoming the show's second disabled character, and the first to be played by a genuinely disabled actress.
“The diagnosis of a brain tumour is devastating and we still know so little about them. To find out more we need to fund research so please support Wear a Hat Day on March 30th and help Brain Tumour Research and their member charities make a difference”
Jennie McAlpine
Coronation Street’s popular character Fiz Stape is played by Jennie McAlpine. Famous for her red hair and known for her charitable activities Jennie says
“I was unaware that a woman under 35 is more likely to die from a brain tumour than breast cancer. This shocked me and so I hope you will join me in wearing a hat to help Brain Tumour Research and their member charities raise funds and awareness on March 30th.
Katy Cavanagh
Since April 2008 the role of Julie Carp in Coronation Streethas been played by TV regular Katy Cavanagh.
“Only 14% of people diagnosed with a brain tumour survive beyond 5 years and there has been no significant improvement in prognosis for a generation. This isn’t acceptable in 2012. Please wear a hat on March 30th Wear a Hat Day and help Brain Tumour Research and their member charities to fund the fight to find a cure.”
Jason Done
Since 2006 stage, screen and television actor Jason Done has appeared as school teacher, Tom Clarkson, in the successful BBC One drama series, Waterloo Road.
"This is an area of research that for too long has been neglected and that's why I'm supporting Wear A Hat Day to raise awareness and to help improve outcomes for patients".
DDDuncan Bannatyne
Entrepreneur, philanthropist and author |Duncan Bannatyne is famous for his appearance as a business angel on the BBC programme Dragons' Den and was appointed an OBE for his contributions to charity.
Dun "Brain Tumour Research is a very worthy cause and I am fully behind its Wear A Hat Day campaign. I will be donating one of my own hats for auction so expect the bidding to start high!"
Matt Cardle
“Singer-songwriter and guitarist Matt Cardle won The X Factor in 2010. His debut number one single "When We Collide" was released immediately after he won and sold 439,000 copies in its first week to become the UK Christmas number one.”
"I fully support Brain Tumour Research and their Wear A Hat Day campaign. Have fun, wear a hat and send in the photots. Thank you for helping us fund the fight to find a cure for brain tumours".
Joe Swash
Popular TV actor and presenter Joe Swash was shocked to learn of the poor prognosis for brain tumour patients.
"We're getting better at treating many different types of cancer but if we don't fund research into brain tumours they will be left behind. Help us fund the fight. Support Wear A Hat Day on March 30th.
Alex Jones
Popular BBC One, The One Show presenter Alex Jones says: "Brain Tumours are the leading child cancer killer. I'm supporting Brain Tumour Research and wearing a hat on March 30th. Are you?
Alan Halsall & Lucy Jo Hudson
Since 1998 Alan Halsall has played Tyrone Dobbs in Coronation Street. His wife Lucy-Jo Hudson played Katy Harris in the long-running soap opera, and can currently be seen as Rosie Trevanion in the ITV drama Wild at Heart . Both actors know our patron Bill Tarmey well and know that he has a very personal association with brain tumours.
“We both fully support Bill and the work he is doing with Brain Tumour Research. Please get involved with Wear a Hat Day and help fund vital research into this most devastating disease.”
Sue Cleaver
Sue Cleaver has worked extensively in theatre and TV starring in the acclaimed drama series Band of Gold before landing a role in the film Girl's Night alongside Julie Walters and Brenda Blethyn. In 2000 she was cast in Coronation Street as Eileen Grimshaw.
"With less than 1% of the national cancer research spend going to brain tumour research it needs people like us to get involved. Go on, make a difference, wear a hat on March 30th and donate to Brain Tumour Research."
Philip Treacy
Our Wear A Hat Day is supported
by well known milliner and Patron
Philip Treacy, who created the
famous hat that Princess Beatrice
wore to the wedding of Prince
William and Catherine Middleton.
He encourages people to display
their commitment to the cause
through their headwear.
Philip has also contributed to the
campaign by providing an image
of a hat that he has designed for an
exclusive brooch that is available as
a limited edition. Find out more
Photograph by Kevin Davis
Philip comments: "Brain Tumour Research's Wear A Hat Day is an excellent initiative; fashion is a feeling and a mood and therefore how best toexpress your passion and commitment to a subject such as brain tumour research than by wearing a fantastic hat. It immediately creates a statement and it doesn't matter what the hat is or how much it costs,everybody who gets involved will feel a million dollars on the day, whilst also raising much needed research funds and awareness."
Bill Tarmey
Friday 25th March 2011 was a special night at The March Hare pub in
Ashton-under-Lyme. Bill Tarmey, the actor who played Jack Duckworth
in Coronation Street, had his head shaved for Brain Tumour Research.
Carl Piddington, Bill Tarmey's son, was the landlord of The March
Hare until he was diagnosed with an incurable brain tumour two
years ago. After two craniotomies, chemo and radiotherapy, Carl
is forced to live with regular seizures and an uncertain future.
He is now 45 and has had to hand over the reins for running the
pub to his wife, Sandra. They have three children who are now 25, 23 and 20.
Spurred on by tremendous support from their loyal customers, Carl and Sandra held a Wear a Hat
evening to raise funds for Brain Tumour Research - they even had hats available to hire (so no excuses for not wearing one). To make sure that the event raised as much money as possible for this worthy cause, there was also a raffle, a tombola, karaoke and three people having their heads shaved, including Bill Tarmey.
Sandra comments: "I suppose we were totally ignorant in the past - you see daffodils for other types of cancer, but I had never seen anything for brain tumour awareness. Then it struck my family. Now that we have got over the initial shock we want to do something positive and raise funds for Brain Tumour Research. Brain tumours kill more children and people under the age of 40 than any other cancer, but so few people are aware of this."
Linvoy Primus
In March 2011, Professor Pilkington and his team
were joined at our research centre at the University of Portsmouth by the then Operations Manager of Portsmouth FC, Lucius Peart and by Pompey legend
Linvoy Primus.
After an amusing Wear A Hat photo shoot, Professor Pilkington showed the two men around the University's state of the art brain tumour research lab.
Linvoy commented: "The statistics surrounding this terrible disease are shocking and we can only
improve the outcome for patients by continued research.
Having visited the Brain Tumour Research Centre at the
University of Portsmouth and learnt about their work, I think it
would be great if the community of Portsmouth could help
support Brain Tumour Research."