March 15, 2023

Over £70,000 has been raised by events at Latymer Upper School for The Brain Tumour Charity.

The school has been supporting the UK’s leading charity dedicated to fighting this devastating disease following the death of Christian White, a Sixth Form student at the School, who died in May last year, aged 17, a year after being diagnosed with a brain tumour.

Together with family and friends, Christian’s dad, Jonny, who is Head of History the Hammersmith school, created a memorial fund to continue ground-breaking research into the causes of glioblastoma multiforme brain tumours.

More than half the money raised came from an auction dinner organised by the school’s Charity Coordinators, Kerry Wilson and Patrick Whitfield in October. The total raised at this event was £40,000 that has contributed to over £70,000 being raised already through events like this, but also the Ealing half-marathon, indoor rowing, a three-legged run and Christian’s godfather’s slimdown challenge.

Kerry said, “Christian was a beloved Latymerian. It's impossible to sum up his generosity of spirit and warmth and we are all so very sad at his passing. He was so many things to so many people - a generous son, brother and friend. He faced chronic illness and cancer diagnosis head on and with such incredible courage. We were so proud to put this event on, in his memory and we’re grateful to everyone for being so generous and helping us raise this incredible sum of money.”

The event was attended by 200 parents and staff from Latymer and through ticket sales and auction bids, raised £40,177.88.

There are more events planned - including a Jazz and Classical Charity Concert on 17 May at St Nicholas’ Church, Chiswick and Christian’s year group have fundraising activities planned after they finish their mock A levels.

Brain tumours are the biggest cancer killer of children and adults under 40, yet less than 3% of cancer research funding goes on brain tumours in the UK.

The Brain Tumour Charity funds 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.

Gina Almond, The Charity’s Director of Fundraising, said, “We are grateful for all the efforts made by our incredible fundraisers and thank them for holding this event – we hope they’re now enjoying a well-earned rest!

“Brain tumours are the biggest cancer killer of the under 40s and survival rates have not improved significantly over the last 40 years. We are leading the way in changing this by fighting brain tumours on all fronts.

“It’s only through the efforts of people like Jonny, Kerry and Patrick that we can change these shocking statistics in the future.”

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