Residents of Buckingham have donned their favourite hats in support of Brain Tumour Research’s annual Wear A Hat Day on Thursday 29th March. Hat-tastic events and activities took place across the area, all in aid of the charity which is fighting for more funding for research into the devastating disease.

Seven-year-old Finley Shudell, whose mother Emma was diagnosed with a brain tumour in March last year, inspired Bourton Meadow Academy’s Wear a Hat Day event.

Emma Shudell, aged 40, from the Badger’s Estate in Buckingham said: “Finley stood up at his school assembly to tell all his friends and teachers about the need for more research into brain tumours. He did such a great job that the school was inspired to raise funds on Wear a Hat Day. He’s been so brave throughout my illness and I’m so proud of everything he is doing to help the charity.”

Finley added: “I’m so happy that my whole school has got involved with Wear a Hat Day! Mum and I have raised a lot of money for Brain Tumour Research through donations and people buying wristbands and hat badges. I went to all the classes in the school with the wristbands and we all got to make or wear our favourite hats to school!”

Finley’s fundraising efforts were also matched by his dad Phil, who organised his own event at his workplace, Durotan Ltd in Buckingham. 

Elsewhere in Buckingham, Sue Farrington Smith, Chief Executive of Brain Tumour Research, held her annual Ladies Lunch at Villiers Hotel in Buckingham with a mini auction and a raffle in aid of the event. 20 ladies were in attendance, all donning their most flamboyant and vibrant headwear in aid of Brain Tumour Research.

The team at Boycott Farm Shop in Stowe donned their hats for a three-day Mad Hatter’s Tea Party, culminating on Saturday 31st March. Richard Hilsdon, manager at Boycott Farm, said: “We’ve supported Brain Tumour Research for several years and try to raise as much as we can for Wear a Hat Day. The cause is extremely important to our family as my nephew and godson, Oli, has been battling a brain tumour for nearly four years.” 

Buckingham University students and staff also joined in the fun whilst employees at Mattioli Woods, Looby Lu’s Tearoom and Jardines Pharmacy rallied together for the cause. 

The annual Wear A Hat Day event has raised over a million pounds since it was launched by Brain Tumour Research nine years ago. The money raised has gone on to fund important research that is taking place at the charity’s four Centres of Excellence, where scientists are focused on improving outcomes for patients and, ultimately, finding a cure.

Carol Robertson, Fundraising Manager for Brain Tumour Research, said: “I’m so pleased to see so many people in Buckingham donning their hats and raising money for Wear a Hat Day 2018. Every year 16,000 people are diagnosed with a brain tumour and the money raised today will go towards pioneering research that is taking place at our Centres of Excellence.” 

Brain tumours are indiscriminate; they can affect anyone, at any age. What’s more, they kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer, yet just 1% of the national spend on cancer research has been allocated to this devastating disease.

Among celebrity supporters of this year’s campaign is the businesswoman, model, actress and mum Caprice Bourret who underwent surgery to remove a low-grade brain tumour which was diagnosed a year ago.

To get involved, or donate, please visit: www.wearahatday.org or text HAT to 70660 to donate £5*

#HATTASTIC

* Texts cost £5 plus network charge. Brain Tumour Research receives 100% of your donation. Obtain the bill payer’s permission. Call 01908 867200 with any queries. 


For further information, please contact:
Farel Williams at Brain Tumour Research on 01908 867239 or 07952 502708 or Farel.Williams@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 have established a game-changing network of world-class Research Centres of Excellence in the UK. Embracing passionate member charities nationwide, over £6 million was raised towards research and support during 2017.

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 unprecedented success of our 2015 petition led to the 2016 Westminster Hall debate and Brain Tumour Research taking a leading role in the Government’s Task and Finish Working Group convened to tackle the historic underfunding for research with the report being published in 2018.

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.