TV quiz master Shaun Wallace has joined staff at the Old Bailey to raise vital funds for research into brain tumours. Inspired by the diagnosis of a colleague, the proceeds from the quiz night have been donated to the Brain Tumour Research charity.

The quiz took place at the historic Grand Hall at the Central Criminal Court of England and Wales. Over 200 colleagues, friends and family members came together to form 38 teams, all in support of Carol Hayes, a court clerk, who was diagnosed with a grade four brain tumour earlier this year. Carol, 56, underwent surgery and the majority of the brain tumour was successfully removed. She is now undergoing chemotherapy and radiotherapy to control the remaining tumour’s growth.

Sharon Allen, a court clerk at the Old Bailey who organised the event with Deirdre Carr and Laura Witney, said: “It was a fantastic night and to be joined by TV’s very own Shaun Wallace was certainly a highlight. We’ve had quiz nights here before but this is the first time we’ve needed to move into the Grand Hall for space! 

“I was inspired to organise the quiz after learning how poorly funded research into brain tumours is – before Carol was diagnosed, I had no idea that the situation for brain tumour patients was so bleak. We’ve raised £3,559 so far and I hope we can keep adding to our total.”

Hosting the event was well-known TV quiz personality, Shaun Wallace, who is best known for his role as a ‘Chaser’ on ITV’s The Chase. Shaun is also a qualified barrister and member of Great James Street chambers and has regularly appeared in cases at the Old Bailey. He said: “It was a brilliant night and I’m delighted that I was able to help fundraise for such an important cause.”

Brain tumours kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer but just 1% of the national spend on cancer research has been allocated to this devastating disease. The charity is striving to fund a network of seven dedicated research centres whilst challenging the government and larger cancer charities to invest more in brain tumour research.

Janice Wright, Community Fundraising Manager at the Brain Tumour Research charity said: “For too long, brain tumours have been a neglected cancer and stories like Carol’s remind us all that we cannot allow this desperate situation to continue. We are extremely grateful to Sharon for organising the event and to Carol’s colleagues for coming together and fundraising for this important cause.”  


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.