Ellen Yates was diagnosed with an acoustic neuroma in 2015 and still lives with the side effects a decade on. But it was losing her best friend, Dawn Rogers Parkyn, to a glioblastoma in 2021 that inspired her to join our Torpoint Walk of Hope last year, along with husband, Kev (pictured with Ellen above right).
“Losing Dawn and other friends to this devastating disease was all the inspiration I needed to sign up,” said Ellen. “I was determined to keep Dawn’s memory alive and she’s the motivation behind all the fundraising I’ve done in the years since. The Walk of Hope raises awareness and funds research – which is so important.
“It was such a wonderful experience, with a lovely atmosphere. It was challenging in parts, but everyone spurred each other on – and the beautiful weather helped, too.
"I loved knowing that I was doing my bit to help bring awareness of the desperate underfunding in research into brain tumours. Stopping enroute at the Brightside roadside diner in Saltash, wearing my Walk of Hope t-shirt, the manager there asked what we were doing; she was so moved by the cause she promoted it on the café’s social media platforms! It was great to know we’d done a little bit extra to help in the fight to find a cure.”
Ellen, who also crochets cute creations that she sells to raise money for brain tumour charities, will be walking for hope at Torpoint again this year, on Saturday 27th September. Will you step forward to help find a cure for brain tumours, too?
As well as Torpoint, you can join Walks at five other sites across the UK, at Luton, London, Motherwell, Elvaston Castle in Derbyshire and the New Forest. Or you can organise your own Walk of Hope at any time during September.
This year, we’re asking all our supporters to commit to raising at least £137; 5% of the cost of a day’s research at one of our Centres of Excellence, where scientists are working tirelessly to find new treatments and improve outcomes.
When you sign up to register, you’ll get a FREE Walk of Hope t-shirt – but don’t delay: our early-bird offer ends a week today, on Thursday 31st July. Simply use the code: WALK25 and enjoy a 50% discount on the £10 registration fee.
Join us on Saturday 27th September and help bring hope to brain tumour patients and their families.
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