On Saturday 18th June, The Samantha Dickson Fund held a 25th charity anniversary Dinner Dance in Dogmersfield, that saw over 240 guests raise over £25,000 for research into brain tumours
That sum pushed the total past the historic £100million fundraising mark for The Brain Tumour Charity.
The Dinner Dance featured live music and special guest auction prizes that included a knitted blanket kindly donated by The Brain Tumour Charity’s High Profile Supporter, Tom Daley.
Charity founders Neil and Angela Dickson said: “The 25 years have flown by. It only seems like yesterday when we were sitting at our kitchen table establishing what was the first dedicated brain tumour charity in the UK.
“In that first year of The Charity we raised £140,000 and in our last financial year we have raised £11.4 million despite being restricted by Covid. The total raised over the last 25 years has now surpassed £100 million.
“That money has been put to great use and has established an important support network throughout the UK for patients and their families, and funding high quality International Research, several of which have led to worldwide breakthroughs and new treatments for some tumour patients. Our HeadSmart Campaign has helped reduce average diagnosis time for children with brain tumours from thirteen weeks to six and a half weeks, and won five national awards, truly making us a vibrant and successful national charity.
“Despite these successes, and the amazing legacy of Samantha, we still have a mountain to climb. Brain tumours account for more deaths than any other cancer for children and adults under the age of 40.
“Last year we decided to set up The Samantha Dickson Fund within The Brain Tumour Charity, to continue her legacy and to raise money specifically for research into high grade gliomas. Although over the years our research has made major progress on understanding the biological nature of this tumour group, this has yet to be translated into new clinical treatments and the purpose of this Fund is to kick-start this process.
“We are so grateful for our family, friends, neighbours, Trustees, Patrons, and over 400 Supporter Groups, many of whom have been with us from the start.”
“What a fantastic occasion to mark the 25th Anniversary of the Samantha Dickson Fund. Our milestone Dinner Dance welcomed long-term supporters of the Charity, members of the local community and friends in Dogmersfield, which is where it all began.
“We would like to thank all of those involved for their time, effort and generosity - with an initial total of around £20,000 raised we are truly grateful for all of your support!”
“And of course a huge thank you to Holly Ross as Chair of the Ball committee plus all the members of the committee themselves for all their hard work.”
The Brain Tumour Charity is the world's leading brain tumour charity and the largest dedicated funder of research into brain tumours globally. Formed after the merger of Brain Tumour UK, Samantha Dickson Brain Tumour Trust and the Joseph Foote Trust, their work is inspired by Samantha and Joseph, who sadly lost their lives to a brain tumour, and every person who has been affected.
Committed to saving and improving lives, they're moving further, faster to help every single person affected by a brain tumour. They're set on finding new treatments, offering the highest level of support and driving urgent change. And they're doing it right now. Because they understand that when you, or someone you love, is diagnosed with a brain tumour – a cure really can't wait.
The Samantha Dickson Fund raises funds for The Brain Tumour Charity in Samantha’s name and restricts the funding to high grade glioma, the tumour type that she had.
For more information, visit: thebraintumourcharity.org
Gina Almond, Director of Fundraising for The Brain Tumour Charity, said: “The Samantha Dickson Fund’s Dinner Dance was an inspirational evening, uniting so many of our community to our cause.
“All the guests’ generosity and heartfelt desire to be part of a force for change, made it a truly special event indeed. Neil and Angela continue to be a beacon of inspiration to everyone we support and their tireless fundraising and awareness efforts, in memory of Samantha, have been instrumental in us reaching this milestone funding figure.
“Brain tumours are the biggest cancer killer of the under 40s and, unlike other cancers, survival rates have not improved over the last 40 years.
“We are leading the way in changing these awful statistics and fighting brain tumours on all fronts.”
The Brain Tumour Charity is now the UK’s largest dedicated brain tumour charity, committed to fighting brain tumours on all fronts.
They fund pioneering research to increase survival and improve treatment options as well as raising awareness of the symptoms and effects of brain tumours to bring about earlier diagnosis.
The Charity also provides support for everyone affected so that they can live as full a life as possible, with the best quality of life.
Anyone affected by a brain tumour can get in touch for support and information on 0808 800 0004 or by emailing support@thebraintumourcharity.org.
Find out more: https://www.thebraintumourcharity.org/