A Harlington woman is inviting local people to help raise funds for scientists working to find a cure for brain tumours.

Jane Barltrop lost her husband – father of their two grown-up daughters, Alice and Emma – to a brain tumour in August 2016 after a 20-month battle. Together, Jane, Alice and Emma set up Fluffy Cloud and Co. in Peter’s memory to raise funds for game-changing national charity, Brain Tumour Research.

Last month, the family were hit with another tragedy as Jane’s sister, Anne, passed away from a brain tumour after a three-year fight. Jane, Alice and Emma are now more determined than ever to raise awareness of brain tumours and support those currently affected by the disease, and, most importantly, support Brain Tumour Research in its mission to fund research to find a cure.

On 24^th March, ahead of Brain Tumour Research’s annual Wear A Hat Day (which, this year, takes place on Thursday 29^th March across the UK) Jane is inviting members of the local community to come to Harlington Village Hall between 10am and 12 noon to support Fluffly Cloud and Co’s Wear A Hat Day event.

Jane explained: ““Every year more than 16,000 people are diagnosed with a brain tumour in the UK, and this cause is very close to my heart having lost my husband and more recently my sister. More research is vital if we are to understand what causes different types of brain tumour, and importantly find a cure for this devastating disease to prevent other families having to go through our experience.

“We are on the roam for friends, family, and pretty much anyone willing to wear a hat to raise awareness and funds for Brain Tumour Research on Saturday 24^th March. We have a newly stocked craft stall, What’s in the Box?, a raffle, a Wear A Hat competition and lots and lots of cake! Now we just need you all to come along and have a good natter over a cuppa.”

Brain Tumour Research funds a network of Centres of Excellence, where scientists are focused on improving outcomes for the many thousands of families affected by a brain tumour diagnosis every year, and, ultimately finding a cure. 

Wear A Hat Day has raised over a million pounds since it was launched by the charity Brain Tumour Research nine years ago and is the culmination of Brain Tumour Awareness Month in March. The big day will see schools, workplaces, families and individuals across the UK fundraising and taking part in fun events to raise awareness of brain tumours and help fund life-saving research.

Brain tumours 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 nearly a year ago. She continues to be monitored by her medical team.

Caprice said: “I have been so touched by Peter and Jane’s story. It’s incredible to hear about the work Jane is doing fundraising for Brain Tumour Research in her husband’s memory, as well as now also her sister’s. It’s terrible that brain tumours affect so many people. This devastating disease is indiscriminate and can affect anyone at any age.

“I’m proud to be working with this lovely family and so many others to support Wear A Hat Day. I want everyone to get involved! It’s such a fun event and anyone can take part. Let’s all put our hats on and so something positive to remember Peter and Anne and support the fantastic research going on right now. I’m determined to try to make a difference for the 16,000 people diagnosed with a brain tumour each year.”

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 more information or to support Fluffy Cloud & Co, email fluffycloudandco@gmail.com or to donate go www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Fluffycloudandco

For further information, please contact:
Liz Fussey at Brain Tumour Research on 07811 068357 Liz@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.