Bandana for Brain Tumour Day raising money for pioneering brain tumour research

Schools, care homes and offices throughout the country have been taking part in Bandana’s for Brain Tumours Day today, to raise awareness about the biggest cancer killer of children and adults under 40.

Staff at carehome.co.uk marked the day by wearing a colourful array of bandanas to work, and Davina Ludlow, director of the directory site made a donation to The Brain Tumour Charity to support ongoing research into brain tumours.

Louise Taylor, director of fundraising and communications at The Brain Tumour Charity said: “Brain tumours are the biggest cancer killer of children and adults under 40 in the UK. The Brain Tumour Charity funds research, provides support and raises awareness but much more needs to be done so we can beat this cruel disease.

“We rely 100 per cent on voluntary donations to raise over £5million each year so we are extremely grateful for everyone taking part in Bandanas for Brain Tumours Day, including carehome.co.uk, which will raise vital funds for research and increase awareness across the UK.”

Over 9,000 people are diagnosed with a brain tumour every year including 500 children and young people, however of the £500m annually spent on cancer research in the UK, only 2 per cent is spent on research into brain tumours.

Bhavna Jones, managing director of BJ & Associates Ltd has supported the day and said she hopes the day will increase awareness and raise money for crucial brain tumour research.

She said: “Brain Tumours are not as well-known as other cancers and research is nominal so I wanted to support the day to raise awareness for the charity. This was a fun way of fundraising which also makes people aware that there are people with brain tumours, as we don’t seem to talk about it very much, and even that children get brain tumours, which some people dont seem to realise.

“I was very touched by the awareness day as it is close to my heart and wanted to get involved and hopefully raise a reasonable amount for the charity.”

Staff from HC-One have also been getting involved in the awareness day and Chai Patel, chairman of HC-One praised the support given by staff and residents, who have also been wearing bandanas throughout the day.

Dr Patel said:"It is wonderful to see the support that the staff at HC -One have given to this very important cause. It is a reflection of the affection and admiration for Bhavna Jones!

"Brain tumours don't receive enough publicity and yet affect people of all ages. As most of you know, this is a matter that is very close to my heart and therefore I'm delighted to support it and am deeply touched by the support from all my colleagues at HC -One"

TV presenter Lorraine Kelly and Olympic diver Tom Daley, whose father died of a brain tumour, are both supporting the day, with Tom posting a picture of himself wearing a bandana on the social media site Twitter, with the caption ‘Proud to be a patron of Brain Tumour.’

Brain Tumour awareness month will continue throughout the whole of March, to find out more information please visit: www.thebraintumourcharity.org