Amy Bennett, from Waltham Forest, is raising vital funds for Brain Tumour Research by abseiling the UK’s tallest sculpture, following the diagnosis of her mum.

On Saturday 19^th May, Amy, aged 28, will abseil the 114.5-metre-high ArcelorMittal Orbit at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in Stratford, London, all in aid of funding research into brain tumours. The challenge is inspired by her mum Helen, who was diagnosed with a glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), a highly aggressive type of brain tumour in June 2014.

Since diagnosis, her mum has been undergoing chemotherapy to help control the tumour’s growth, however her treatment options are becoming more limited due to the location of the tumour.

Amy, a Digital Marketing Associate at brand management consultancy Prophet, said: “My mum’s life will never be the same again because of this tumour, and her illness has really opened my eyes to how devastating the disease is for all those affected.

“Abseiling the Orbit looks terrifying but if I can help raise vital funds for research into brain tumours, then it’s all worth it. Mum used to be such an active and energetic person, so although I’m scared of heights, she has inspired me to help raise funds for research into this disease.”

Janice Wright, Community Fundraising Manager at Brain Tumour Research, said: ““Brain tumours are indiscriminate; they can affect anyone, at any age, at any time. What’s more, they 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 fight devastating disease.

“We are extremely grateful to Amy and wish her all the best for a successful event. We hope as many people as possible will support their endeavour, or even consider holding their own events, helping us to spread the word about this terrible disease.”

The money Amy raises will go towards pioneering charity Brain Tumour Research which funds a network of dedicated Centres of Excellence where scientists are focused on improving outcomes for patients and, ultimately, finding a cure.

To make a donation to Brain Tumour Research via Amy’s JustGiving page, go to: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/amy-bennett90

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 in the UK 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.