£70k before 70 fundraising campaign for The Brain Tumour Charity in memory of grandmother

• You are a fundraiser for The Brain Tumour Charity (TBTC). How did you get involved?

My sister Julie was diagnosed with a brain tumour in April 2008. For her 60th birthday, in March 2012, she wanted to raise £1,000 for TBTC. With her friends and family a total amount of £15,000 was raised. We also participated in the first 10k Twilight Walk in Windsor, plus a Daylight Walk for Julie’s grandchildren. Julie died in 2015, but family and friends, the Heads Up supporters group, determined to continue with the annual Walk. Julie raised a fantastic £25,000 during the few years she had left to make a difference. Since her death, her family and friends have taken that total to £60,300.35.

• How did your current ‘£70,000 before 70’ campaign come about?

Julie was passionate about the charity and we wanted to bring the total to £70,000 by the time she would have turned 70. Covid-19 has made it especially challenging, but we’re determined to raise £9,699.65 to take us to £70,000 by March 2022.

• Was Julie’s wish to be part of the solution a driving force in your determination to continue fundraising?

Yes, absolutely. When she was still alive Julie said: “When I was diagnosed with a brain tumour, my family felt like there was nothing they could do. Fundraising as a family has helped us all take control and be part of the cure”. She found comfort in fundraising and through it created a group of friends. We had some fun times during what were some pretty horrible times.

• So fundraising and friendship was Julie’s legacy?