Our Patrons, Ambassadors and Celebrity Supporters 

Our Patrons, Ambassadors and Celebrities help us raise valuable awareness, open doors to new opportunities and connections, help to amplify our campaigning and undertake their own fundraising to help find a cure for brain tumours.

Patrons

  • Sarah Beeny

    Broadcaster and businesswoman Sarah Beeny was 10 years old when she lost her mum to breast cancer that metastasised to her brain. Her step-mum also died from this devastating disease. Sarah has supported the Charity for more than a decade, taking part in Wear A Hat Day every year, attending our events and presenting a film to showcase our 15 years of research impact in the journey to get closer to a cure.

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  • Pete Waterman OBE

    Author, DJ, railway fanatic and television presenter Pete Waterman OBE, is recognised as one of the most influential and prolific music moguls of a generation. With more than 100 Top 40 UK hits to his name, Pete is perhaps best known as one third of the hugely successful music production and song-writing partnership, Stock Aitken Waterman and for his world famous PWL label which celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2024. He became Patron in 2024 having lost his son, Paul, to an aggressive brain tumour in 2005.

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  • Alfie Boe OBE 

    Multi-platinum selling recording artist, Alfie Boe is known for his versatility across theatre, music and TV. In a career spanning more than 20 years, Alfie has conquered the worlds of opera, musical theatre and popular music, selling more than a million albums in the process He became a Patron in 2024 having lost his dad, Alfred, to an aggressive brain tumour in 1995.

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  • Caprice Bourret 

    Award-winning top model, actress and producer, Caprice Bourret became a Patron of Brain Tumour Research following her shock meningioma diagnosis, and subsequent successful surgical intervention, in 2017

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  • Theo Burrell 

    Antiques Roadshow expert and mum-of-one Theo Burrell became a Patron of the charity after her own diagnosis with a glioblastoma (GBM) in June 2022.She actively campaigns and fundraises to support research for patients like her.

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  • Danny Clarke

    Danny Clarke is a British Garden Designer and TV presenter who shot to fame as BBC’s Instant Gardener, having started his own bespoke garden design company, the Black Gardener, in 1997. Danny lost his sister, Margot McLellan, to a glioblastoma (GBM).

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  • Philip Treacy OBE

    Philip Treacy has become the world's most in demand hat designer and is widely credited with changing the perception of the hat. His hats are as popular with European aristocrats as with Hollywood royalty. He has been a Patron of Brain Tumour Research since 2011. 

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Ambassadors

  • The Chapmans

    Ex-professional rugby player Tom Chapman and his wife Vicky (formerly Fleetwood) – who lifted the Women’s Rugby World Cup in 2014 – had just returned from their dream honeymoon when Tom was diagnosed with a brain tumour. Together, the Chapmans are sharing their journey of navigating Tom’s brain cancer journey and working with Brain Tumour Research to raise funds and awareness to help find a cure for the disease.

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  • Sue Farrington Smith MBE

    Co-Founder of Brain Tumour Research and former Chief Executive, Sue Farrington Smith MBE has embarked on a new chapter, taking on the role of Ambassador. After stepping down from her position at the Charity’s helm in June 2023, following extensive treatment for abdominal cancer, she joined our Board of Trustees, becoming Vice Chair in July 2024.

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  • Charles Dale

    Star of the stage and screen, Charles has shown unwavering support for our cause driven by his close personal connections to our community, including his friendship with fellow Ambassador Craig Russell.

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  • Sam Reardon

    Double Olympic medallist Sam Reardon was just 15 years old when he lost his mother, Marilyn, to a glioblastoma in March 2019 at the age of 52.

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  • Abi Feltham

    Abi Feltham is an influencer, podcaster, and content creator from London. In May 2024, Abi was diagnosed with a grade three oligodendroglioma and told she had roughly 15 years left to live. Abi’s advocacy for addiction, mental health recovery and her own struggle with her brain tumour have brought hope to so many.

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  • Craig Russell

    Netflix star, actor, writer, and producer, Craig was diagnosed with a low-grade meningioma in February 2023. 

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  • Danielle Harold

    Actress Danielle Harold rose to fame playing popular character Lola Pearce in BBC’s EastEnders. She became a Celebrity Ambassador after working closely with us on a poignant brain tumour storyline.

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  • Sam Suriakumar

    Husband and father-of-two Sam Suriakumar was diagnosed with a glioma in 2020 and has since become a committed campaigner and fundraiser. He became our first Supporter Ambassador in 2023.

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Celebrity supporters

  • Debbie McGee

    TV personality and radio presenter Debbie McGee lost her husband, the magician Paul Daniels, to a brain tumour in 2016. Her support has included taking part in Wear A Hat Day, campaigning with us and visiting our Centres of Excellence.

  • Denise Van Outen 

    Actress, singer, presenter, and musical theatre star Denise Van Outen has supported us for many years and has taken on numerous fundraising activities, including a celebrity cycling challenge and an impressive Himalayas trek.

  • Garry Christian 

    Garry Christian is the lead singer and songwriter with The Christians. Having lost his brother and former bandmate Roger to a brain tumour, Garry has supported us since 2014 by taking part in Wear A Hat Day and attending our campaigning events.

  • Ian Reddington

    Ian Reddington is known to millions of TV viewers for his major roles as “Tricky Dicky” in EastEnders and Vernon Tomlin in Coronation Street. Although he has not been personally affected, he is passionate about helping to find a cure for brain tumours.

  • Jacqui Oatley MBE 

    Sports broadcaster Jacqui Oatley MBE has supported a number of our campaigns, including Wear A Hat Day and helped launch our On Yer Bike fundraiser in 2017. She has known a number of people affected by this devastating disease.

  • John Newman 

    Musician, singer, songwriter and record producer, John Newman, was diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2012 and underwent further treatment after it returned four years later. Now, John isdoing well and continues to advocate for more funding into research.

  • Kady McDermott 

    Best known for her stint on ITV’s Love Island, TV personality and social media influencer Kady McDermott supports us having lost her nan, Maureen, to a brain tumour in 2009.

  • Linda Robson

    Linda Robson’s close cousin Jackie was diagnosed with a brain tumour. The actress and TV presenter has supported Wear A Hat Day over the years.

  • Mark Hunter MBE 

    Olympic gold and silver medallist rower Mark Hunter MBE has supported the charity since 2013, facing his fears and holding a snake as part of our Conquer It Together campaign. 

  • Dame Sheila Hancock

    Dame Sheila Hancock has been a friend of the charity for many years following her grandson Jack’s diagnosis with a brain tumour at the age of four. She helped launch our first Centre of Excellence, campaigned with us, visited our research labs and backed Wear A Hat Day.

  • Stephen Jones OBE 

    Milliner to the stars, Stephen Jones OBE has worked with everyone from Boy George to Princess Diana. He has supported Brain Tumour Research for many years having lost his close friend, pioneering fashion stylist Dizzy Downes to the disease.