A sixth form student, whose mum is living with a brain tumour, has abseiled the iconic Spinnaker Tower to help build a network of experts in sustainable brain tumour research.

Aimée Humphreys, an 18-year-old from Walsall, took on the challenge in honour of her mum Sue Humphreys, 47, who was diagnosed in 2007. Sue was 36 when she was diagnosed with a low-grade astrocytoma, she underwent surgery but some six years later she needed chemotherapy and another operation. For now, her tumour is stable and her daughter is determined to help others with the disease.

As the highest building in the city of Portsmouth, the Spinnaker Tower offers breath-taking views of the Solent and beyond. Others who joined Aimée on the abseil had also been affected by brain tumours in some way, with many participating in memory of a family member or friend taken by the disease.

Aimée said: “I was really excited to abseil the Spinnaker Tower and it was a privilege to help fund vital research into brain tumours. Though I’m not scared of heights, the adrenaline kicked in on the day, which was both exciting and nerve-wracking. It was such a proud moment for me to complete the challenge.”

Raising over £500 for the pioneering charity Brain Tumour Research, Aimée stepped out of her comfort zone to take on the abseil, supported by members of her family.

Aimée said: “I’m sure mum thinks I was crazy for taking on the challenge, but I made so many great memories and the day was a great success. I hope my efforts will help raise awareness of this awful disease and draw attention to the underfunding of research which has gone on for far too long.” 

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 at Brain Tumour Research, said: “We really appreciate Aimée’s support and congratulate her on completing her challenge. The money raised from the abseil will help to fund the work at our four Centres of Excellence, including our flagship centre at the University of Portsmouth, where world-leading research into the causes of brain tumours and improving treatments is taking place.

“For too long, brain tumours have been a neglected cancer and stories like Sue’s remind us all that we cannot allow this desperate situation to continue. Sadly, less than 20% of those diagnosed with a brain tumour survive beyond five years compared with an average of 50% across all cancers.”

Make a donation to Brain Tumour Research via Aimée’s JustGiving page.

For further information, please contact:
Annie Slinn at Brain Tumour Research on 01908 867239 or 07591 206545 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.