Michele Gray, Head of Corporate Fundraising at Brain Tumour Research, visited the firm’s office in Tunbridge Wells on Thursday 19 September to accept the donation, to share some key statistics on brain tumours and to explain more to the team about how the money raised will be used by the charity.
Brain tumours are indiscriminate; they can affect anyone at any age. In the UK, 16,000 people each year are diagnosed with a brain tumour and they kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer. Brain tumours kill more children than leukaemia; more men under 45 than prostate cancer; and more women under 35 than breast cancer. Less than 20% of these diagnosed with a brain tumour survive beyond five years, compared with an average of 50% across all cancers.
CooperBurnett supported Brain Tumour Research in memory of Oli Hilsdon, cousin of Associate Solicitor, Katie Hilsdon, who died from a brain tumour aged just 26.
“Brain Tumour Research have been very moved by the fundraising of friends, family and colleagues at CooperBurnett, in memory of Oli Hilsdon,” said Michele Gray. “The staggering amount raised, represents the cost of nine days of research. We thank you for helping us to fund this vital research.”
CooperBurnett organised a number of fundraisers for the charity, including an epic London to Paris cycle ride, which five team members Victoria Sampson, Joseph Oates, John Spence, Katie Hilsdon and Gareth Warner completed in just 24 hours! They successfully cycled 300km between the two capitals at the beginning of May in dreadful weather conditions, which included almost constant rain and wind, as well as hailstorms and sleet.
“We are extremely grateful to everyone who has supported us in raising this amazing amount of money for Brain Tumour Research,” said Victoria Sampson, Partner and Head of Corporate and Commercial Services at CooperBurnett. “The cycle ride, in particular, was an enormous challenge and we all felt an incredible sense of achievement. The memory of how determined Oli was in everything he did kept us all going.”
