An Olympic swimmer is backing a charity’s campaign to get people swimming, in pursuit of a cure for brain tumours.

After her sister, Kelly Lee, was diagnosed eleven years ago, Katy Sexton MBE, who represented Great Britain in the Sydney and Athens Olympic Games, is supporting the Brain Tumour Research charity.

Former World and Commonwealth Champion, Katy is encouraging members of the public to take part in Swim for Hope in October 2018, to raise money for research into brain tumours. Katy is holding swimming events with her school, Katy Sexton Sport and Fitness, which is based at Mill Rythe Junior School, Hayling Island, and Barncroft Primary School, Havant.

Katy, who received an MBE for her services to swimming, said: “I’m proud to be supporting Brain Tumour Research’s Swim for Hope campaign. Brain tumours kill more children and adults under the age of 40 each year than any other cancer, yet just 1% of the national spend on cancer research has been allocated to this devastating disease.”

Kelly, who lives in Waterlooville, was newly-wed and just 29 when she was diagnosed with a tumour on her pituitary gland. Her tumour was successfully removed by surgery but Kelly, aged 40, still takes medication and requires regular MRI scans.

Katy added: “I want to motivate people to swim and raise money for this vital cause. Whether it’s a swimathon, a relay swim or simply taking the kids to the local pool over the half term, it’s all about going swimming and fundraising. If you’re short on time, you could even have a quick swim during your lunch break. Taking part in Swim for Hope is simple and easy – all you need is a safe place and a swimming costume!”

Tim Green, Senior Community Fundraising Manager at Brain Tumour Research, said: “This will be the first Swim for Hope campaign and many of those taking part know only too well the devastation brain tumours can cause. You can use the hashtags #swimforhope and #swimtober and get the whole family involved.

“The money raised will help us in our mission to build a network of experts in sustainable research. We are funding dedicated UK Centres of Excellence – including one at the University of Portsmouth – where scientists are focused on improving outcomes for patients and, ultimately, finding a cure.”

Supporters who raise £100 will receive a free poolside t-shirt and an exclusive medal.

To register for the event or to find out more visit https://www.braintumourresearch.org/fundraise/swim-for-hope

For further information, please contact:
Annie Slinn at the Brain Tumour Research charity on 01908 867239 or 07591 206545 or annie.slinn@braintumourresearch.org.

Notes to Editors

Brain Tumour Research is the only national charity in the UK dedicated to raising funds for continuous and sustainable scientific research into brain tumours, and we are a leading voice calling for greater support and action for research into what scientists are calling the last battleground against cancer.

We are building a network of experts in sustainable research at dedicated Centres of Excellence whilst influencing the Government and larger cancer charities to invest more nationally.

We welcome recent funding announcements for research into brain tumours from the UK Government and Cancer Research UK – £65 million pledged over the next five years. However, this potential funding of £13 million a year comes with a catch – money will only be granted to quality research proposals and, due to the historic lack of investment, there may not be enough of these applications that qualify for grants from this pot.

We want research funding parity with breast cancer and leukaemia. We are calling for a £30-35 million investment every year for research into brain tumours in order to fund the basic research groundwork needed to accelerate the translation from laboratory discoveries into clinical trials and fast-track new therapies for this devastating disease.

The Brain Tumour Research charity is a powerful campaigning organisation and represents the voice of the brain tumour community across the UK. We helped establish and provide the ongoing Secretariat for the All Party Parliamentary Group for Brain Tumours (APPGBT). We are supporting the crucial APPGBT 2018 Inquiry into the economic and social impacts of brain tumours and will publish their report in the autumn. We are also a key influencer in the development strategy for the Tessa Jowell Brain Cancer Mission. 

Key statistics on brain tumours:

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

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