Blackstar Amplification, a world-renowned guitar amp company based in Northampton, is sponsoring a world record attempt in aid of research into brain tumours.

The company, based at Moulton Park, has partnered with organiser, Dave Pile, to sponsor the Great Guitar Challenge which aims to break the Guinness World Record for the largest electric guitar ensemble and raise vital funds for pioneering charity Brain Tumour Research. The current world record was achieved by Sky Group (India) in January 2013 when 368 participants assembled at the Agri Expo in Dimapur.

Joel Richardson, Head of Marketing at Blackstar, said: “When we heard about the world record attempt, we instantly wanted to be involved; 450 electric guitarists playing Heroes en masse is going to be incredible and as it’s also for a great cause, we’re determined to help make it happen.

“Every guitarist who participates will receive one of our new Fly 3 micro amps which is a brilliant marketing opportunity for us.”

Dave Pile, aged 55, lost his mother June, to a brain tumour in March 2013 following a short and gruelling battle with a glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) – a highly aggressive type of tumour. Despite surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy, June died less than six months later. Dave said: “I’m so grateful to the team at Blackstar for sponsoring this event. Without their support it wouldn’t be possible, and their industry contacts and expertise have been invaluable.

“My idea to break a world record came about two years after losing my mum to a brain tumour. I’ve been raising money for Brain Tumour Research over the last year or so but this latest venture is proving to be the toughest!”

Brain tumours kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer – and less than 20% of those diagnosed with a brain tumour survive beyond five years compared with an average of 50% across all cancers – yet just 1% of the national spend on cancer research has been allocated to this devastating disease.

Michael Thelwall, Head of Community Fundraising for Brain Tumour Research, said: “Dave’s world record attempt is going to be spectacular and I hope it will raise awareness of how underfunded research into the disease is.

“We are extremely grateful to Dave and Blackstar for fundraising and wish everyone involved the best of luck for the world record attempt.”

Guitarists can register for the event via Eventbrite; the ticket price includes a donation to Brain Tumour Research and entitles participants to a new Blackstar Fly 3 micro amp, a t-shirt to mark the event and a free day’s entry to the Ealing Blues Festival.

For more information, visit www.greatguitarchallenge.com

For further information, please contact:
Farel Williams at Brain Tumour Research on 01908 867221 or 07592 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.