Two women, whose lives have been changed by brain tumours, are coming together to take part in charity canal walk to raise vital funds for Brain Tumour Research.

Holly Dooley, 33, from Camberton Road was inspired to raise vital funds for research into the disease after she was diagnosed with a brain tumour in December 2013, just a few months after getting married. Holly has already endured five operations and intense radiotherapy to control the growth of the tumour. Though her life has changed she continues to remain positive about fighting the disease.

Holly, said: “At the time I was diagnosed, I was a professional dancer. Over the coming months my life changed dramatically and I had to end the career I loved.  

“Research into this disease is really important to me, as brain tumours can affect anyone at any age, but no one knows what causes them. I do see myself as lucky as I was able to have surgery and treatment, unlike so many people out there diagnosed that aren’t as fortunate.”

This is the sixth year the canal walk has been held and over 100 people are expected to take part in the 11-mile walk along the picturesque canal on Saturday 30^th September 2017.

Joining Holly on the walk is Francoise Shelton, 58, from Church Lane, who was diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2007 after her daughter found her unconscious one morning. The mum of three immediately underwent invasive surgery to remove the tumour and now uses her experience to regularly fundraise for the charity.

Francoise, said: “It has been 10 years since I was diagnosed and this walk marks a milestone in celebrating the life I have. I’m really looking forward to meeting others that have had their lives affected by brain tumours as so many of us have had different experiences with this deadly disease.  I hope our efforts will help raise awareness of the current underfunding for research into brain tumours.”

The Grand Union Canal Walk will start at the Three Locks pub in Stoke Hammond, where walkers can purchase bacon butties to start the day. The group will then walk the 5 ½ miles to the Grove Lock pub, to enjoy a picnic or pub lunch.

At the end of the walk participants will be able to enjoy a charity menu at the Three Locks pub and a specially created ale, "Hops for Hope", from The Leighton Buzzard Brewing Company. A percentage of both the menu and ale sales during the month of September will go to Brain Tumour Research.

Paula Rastrick, Community Fundraising Manager at Brain Tumour Research, said: “This is always a popular event for us, as the whole family can get involved. Many of those taking part know only too well the devastation a brain tumour causes. There is a strong sense of fellowship and sharing an experience, which is a very positive thing.

“We really appreciate all those taking part in the walk, as the money raised on the day will go towards research into the causes of brain tumours and improving treatments and ultimately finding a cure for this horrible disease.”

The registration fee is £10 for individuals and £20 for families. All walkers will receive a medal for being part of Brain Tumour Research’s fantastic Fighting Force. Registration will take place between 9:15am and 10am on 30^th September and dogs on leads are welcome.

To register for the event or to find out more visit https://www.braintumourresearch.org/grand-union-canal-walk

To make a donation to Brain Tumour Research via Holly’s JustGiving page, go to https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/hollydooley or you can make a donation via  Francoise’s JustGiving page, go to https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/francoiseshelton 

For further information, please contact:
Lexie Dabney at Brain Tumour Research on 01908 867222 or 07591 206545 or Lexie.Dabney@braintumourresearch.org

Notes to Editors

Brain Tumour Research is the only national charity in the UK focused on funding sustainable research to find a cure for brain tumours. We are building a game-changing network of world-class Research Centres of Excellence in the UK. Embracing passionate member charities nationwide, £5.5 million was raised towards research and support during 2016.

We are campaigning to see the national spend on research into brain tumours increased to £30 - £35 million a year, in line with breast cancer and leukaemia. The charity is celebrating a year of high-profile campaigning on this issue following the unprecedented success of its petition in 2016. Following that, Brain Tumour Research is now taking a leading role in the Government’s Task and Finish Working Group convened to tackle the historic underfunding for research.

Key statistics on brain tumours:

• Brain tumours kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer
• They kill more children than leukaemia
• They kill more men under 45 than prostate cancer
• They kill more women under 35 than breast cancer
• Just 1% of the national spend on cancer research has been allocated to this devastating disease
• In the UK 16,000 people each year are diagnosed with a brain tumour
• Less than 20% of those diagnosed with a brain tumour survive beyond five years compared with an average of 50% across all cancers
• Brain tumours are indiscriminate; they can affect anyone, at any age
• Incidences of, and deaths from, brain tumours are increasing.

Please quote Brain Tumour Research as the source when using this information. Additional facts and statistics are available from our website including our latest Report on National Research Funding. We can also provide case-studies and research expertise for media.