brainstrust

Thomas Carter contacted brainstrust in the autumn of 2007. His mother was desperately ill with a brain tumour and he wanted to do something that would help. And along came the Velo Vosges Challenge - for seventy teams of four to cycle nearly 500 miles in three days riding in relay from Arras near the English Channel over the formidable Vosges mountains to the fairytale village of Riquewihr.

We were able to complete our cycle ride at the beginning of October whilst Mum was still alive, cycling with her in our minds. We had two teams of four, consisting of myself, my brother Chris, dad Jonathon, Simon, Ben and Tamsyn Derrick, Will Goodison, and Eleanor Wratten. We cycled 500 miles in three days, from Arras in the North of France, to Alsace in the East, going over the Vosges Mountains.

Now that is doing something - and in the process Thomas and his team has raised £2700 for brainstrust. We're proud of you Thomas!

Ian O'Keefe, a sergeant in the Military Provost at HMS Sultan in Gosport, walked 26 miles in nine hours yesterday. In doing so he raised thousands of pounds which will go towards paying the £15,000 needed for the Avastin drug treatment he hopes will extend the time he has left with his family.

Sgt O'Keefe was joined by about 30 friends and colleagues for the walk which started at midnight on Saturday. He crossed the finishing line at 9am yesterday.

After about 20 miles I hit a bit of a wall, it was really hard going and I was struggling", he said.

"It was very psychologically hard and tiring because I was walking through the night. I kept on thinking that I should be in bed. There was a lot of pressure and towards the end I was so tired and I was really starting to feel the strain. It was certainly harder than I thought it would be but I needed to raise the money and I wasn't going to stop.

"I'm just not the type of man to give up - I just keep battling on and going until I can't go anymore.

Sergeant O'Keefe, from Lee-on-the-Solent, found out he had a deadly brain tumour after he went to the opticians with an aching eye. The tumour was removed and he went through months of chemotherapy only to be told that doctors cannot save him.

... the Isle of Wight-based brainstrust has lent its backing, setting up a bank account and offering him advice.

Read the full article in The News »

Stephen Venables, the mountaineer, writer, broadcaster and public speaker, has agreed to become the latest patron of brainstrust. Our director Helen said:

We are delighted to welcome Stephen Venables on board as a trust patron. Sadly, his eldest son, who had autism, died from a brain tumour and he wrote a touching best-selling book, Ollie.

Stephen is passionate about promoting public understanding of the need to do more to provide solutions for people with brain tumours and is very keen to do an after-dinner tour.

Stephen Venables was the first Briton to climb Everest without supplementary oxygen, reaching the summit alone by a new route. He has climbed successfully for over 40 years, with many first ascents of previously unknown mountains to his name. www.stephenvenables.com

Stephen has become brainstrust's fifth Patron, joining Professor Peter Black MD PhD, Professor of Neurosurgery at Harvard Medical School and rated as one of the top ten doctors in the USA; Andrew McEvoy FRCS, a leading brain tumour Consultant Surgeon at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery in London; Paul Grundy FRCS, a brain tumour Consultant Surgeon at the Wessex Neurological Unit in Southampton and former BBC newsreader, Jan Leeming.

Paul Grundy, a Consultant Neurosurgeon at the Wessex Neurological Centre in Southampton, has agreed to become a patron of brainstrust. Our Director Helen said:

Paul wants to play an active role and has agreed to help us develop the information needed for patients and for other healthcare practitioners, which will go onto our website.

“Paul is very well read and keeps up with latest research on brain tumours. He will be an excellent campaigner for brainstrust and his appointment will also strengthen our presence along the South Coast.

Paul Grundy joins brainstrust's three patrons: Professor Peter Black MD PhD, Professor of Neurosurgery at Harvard Medical School and rated as one of the Top 10 doctors in the USA; Andrew McEvoy FRCS, a leading brain tumour Consultant Neurosurgeon at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery in London; and former BBC Newsreader, Jan Leeming.