Patrons, Ambassadors and supporters of Brain Tumour Research flocked to the world’s oldest hat shop, Lock & Co., to celebrate the launch of Wear A Hat Day.
For one day only and to mark its 350th anniversary, the heritage hat-maker became Lock & Boe, inspired by our Patron, the multi-platinum selling world-class tenor, Alfie Boe OBE.
Alfie was joined by fellow Patrons, TV presenters Sarah Beeny and Danny Clarke, singer Clare Grogan, as well as a host of celebrities as they learned about the dos and don’ts of hat styling and witnessed the work that goes into creating a millinery masterpiece.
Patron Sarah Beeny, and Ambassadors Tom and Vicky Chapman, and Abi Feltham
Guests were given a tour of Lock & Co.’s designing rooms and had fun taking silly selfies at a special Selfie Station. They also heard from our CEO Dan Knowles about the impacts of brain tumours and were inspired to support our flagship campaign that raises money to help fund research into finding a cure.
TV personality Debbie McGee with actress Vicki Michelle; researcher Tom Millner from the Brain Tumour Research Centre of Excellence at Queen Mary University of London and Professor Ruman Rahman, Principal Investigator from our Centre at the University of Nottingham; and our co-founder Sue Farrington Smith MBE with long-term supporter Sarah Long
Alfie said: “Far too many lives have been lost since my father died. Nothing has changed in nearly three decades. We need greater investment in research right now to change the story for brain tumour patients in the UK. That’s why I’m supporting Wear A Hat Day, to give people hope and get us closer to the day when a cure is found.”
Kelsey Parker, widow of Tom Parker from band The Wanted
Taking place on Friday 27th March, Wear A Hat Day is one of the UK’s best-loved brain tumour awareness days, bringing people together across the UK as they put on their favourite hats and attend fundraising events. It couldn’t be simpler to get involved and you’ll get fantastic support from your Community Fundraiser, as well as access to a great fundraising pack – simply click here to get started.
Jason Roberts, Chairman of Lock & Co, Dan Knowles, CEO of Brain Tumour Research and Alfie Boe
Dan said: “We’re incredibly grateful to our Patron Alfie Boe and our friends at Lock & Co. for helping to create this incredible event and bring attention to the desperate needs of brain tumour patients and their families in such a powerful and positive way. Brain tumours have a devastating impact on families across the UK, and too many people face limited treatment options and uncertain futures.
“With one in three people knowing someone affected by a brain tumour and nearly 13,000 people diagnosed each year, it is essential that we secure increased investment into research to improve survival rates and outcomes. We encourage everyone to support Wear a Hat Day by organising their own fundraising event to help us move closer to finding a cure.”
Fancy a go at designing your own headpiece with friends or colleagues? There are lots of ways to get involved in Wear A Hat Day and raise money to make a difference. From hat-themed bake sales to fashion inspired quizzes, however you choose to take part, you’ll be helping us fund research to find cure.
Register to take part today and help us make this year’s event bigger, better and ‘hattier’ than ever before by.
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