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Less than 20% of those diagnosed with a brain tumour survive beyond five years
Randonnee for research – charity calls on cyclists in pursuit of a cure

A charity which funds research into brain tumours is rounding up riders to tackle a coastal cycle challenge.
The Brain Tumour Research Randonnee will take place around the Isle of Wight on 15th July 2018. Raising money for the Brain Tumour Research charity, many of those already signed up have been affected by the disease. Organiser Simon Tier, a project manager from Fareham, has lost several friends to brain tumours, and is a champion fundraiser for the charity.
Simon, aged 50, said: “I set up the Randonnee last year and would recommend it to anyone wanting to undertake a fundraising challenge. I hope to inspire others to join our team in raising awareness for this awful disease, which has been so poorly underfunded for too long. For those undertaking RideLondon two weeks later, this challenge is perfect as a final training ride before tapering – conquer the Randonnee and you will smash RideLondon.”
Riders will set off from Fishbourne before heading around the Island, receiving refreshments at Bembridge and Yarmouth, and finishing 68 miles later back at the start. Cyclists feeling particularly ambitious can also attempt a 136-mile Ultra route.
Also taking on the challenge is Owen Giles, an engineer from Sandown, Isle of Wight. Owen’s dad, Paul Giles, aged 71, was diagnosed with a secondary brain tumour in January 2018 after suffering dizziness and confusion. Paul, who also lives on the Isle of Wight, has undergone brain surgery to remove the tumour, and now has MRI scans every three months.
Owen, aged 43, said: “After my dad’s diagnosis and having learned about the underfunding for research into brain tumours, I decided to sign up for the Randonnee. My aim is to raise £500 and, as a keen cyclist, I am looking forward to completing the ride around the Island where I live.”
The Brain Tumour Research charity aims to fill a group of 50 riders for the event, with a target of £5,000 to help fund vital research into brain tumours.
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.
Tim Green, Community Fundraising Manager for the Brain Tumour Research charity, said: “For too long, brain tumours have been a neglected cancer and we cannot allow this desperate situation to continue. We are extremely grateful to Simon and other riders for their support and would like to encourage others to take part in this event.”
For more information, or to sign-up to the event, visit: https://www.active.com/isle-ofwight/cycling/brain-tumour-research-randonnee-2018
To make a donation to Brain Tumour Research via the team’s JustGiving pages, go to: https://www.justgiving.com/teams/btrr17 https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/owengiles
For further information, please contact:
Annie Slinn at Brain Tumour Research 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 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.
The Brain Tumour Research Randonnee will take place around the Isle of Wight on 15th July 2018. Raising money for the Brain Tumour Research charity, many of those already signed up have been affected by the disease. Organiser Simon Tier, a project manager from Fareham, has lost several friends to brain tumours, and is a champion fundraiser for the charity.
Simon, aged 50, said: “I set up the Randonnee last year and would recommend it to anyone wanting to undertake a fundraising challenge. I hope to inspire others to join our team in raising awareness for this awful disease, which has been so poorly underfunded for too long. For those undertaking RideLondon two weeks later, this challenge is perfect as a final training ride before tapering – conquer the Randonnee and you will smash RideLondon.”
Riders will set off from Fishbourne before heading around the Island, receiving refreshments at Bembridge and Yarmouth, and finishing 68 miles later back at the start. Cyclists feeling particularly ambitious can also attempt a 136-mile Ultra route.
Also taking on the challenge is Owen Giles, an engineer from Sandown, Isle of Wight. Owen’s dad, Paul Giles, aged 71, was diagnosed with a secondary brain tumour in January 2018 after suffering dizziness and confusion. Paul, who also lives on the Isle of Wight, has undergone brain surgery to remove the tumour, and now has MRI scans every three months.
Owen, aged 43, said: “After my dad’s diagnosis and having learned about the underfunding for research into brain tumours, I decided to sign up for the Randonnee. My aim is to raise £500 and, as a keen cyclist, I am looking forward to completing the ride around the Island where I live.”
The Brain Tumour Research charity aims to fill a group of 50 riders for the event, with a target of £5,000 to help fund vital research into brain tumours.
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.
Tim Green, Community Fundraising Manager for the Brain Tumour Research charity, said: “For too long, brain tumours have been a neglected cancer and we cannot allow this desperate situation to continue. We are extremely grateful to Simon and other riders for their support and would like to encourage others to take part in this event.”
For more information, or to sign-up to the event, visit: https://www.active.com/isle-ofwight/cycling/brain-tumour-research-randonnee-2018
To make a donation to Brain Tumour Research via the team’s JustGiving pages, go to: https://www.justgiving.com/teams/btrr17 https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/owengiles
For further information, please contact:
Annie Slinn at Brain Tumour Research 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 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.