Andi Peel, the inspiration for our Fundraising Group Andi’s Army, was remembered on Saturday 28th June when his great friend Ross Bland organised the fourth annual charity basketball match in Leicester in his honour, to raise funds for research.
The first two charity matches were held after Andi was diagnosed with a glioblastoma in 2020, while the third was after Andi (the only child of mum Linda, pictured top right with her son) lost his battle in January 2023, aged just 30. Collectively they raised an astonishing £25,000 in Andi’s memory.
This year, the match was played at Castle Rock High School in Coalville and raised more than £4,100 for Andi’s Army and Brain Tumour Research, with more money yet to come.
Ross (pictured above centre) said: “Andi’s death was a huge loss in my life. He was a very dear friend. So, it’s really important to me to celebrate Andi and who he was. It’s vital that we work to ensure that these deaths of people in the prime of their lives don’t continue to happen, by funding research to improve outcomes for brain tumour patients and ultimately find a cure.
“It’s also crucial that people are aware of the signs and symptoms – Andi had migraines for years and it took too long for doctors to take them seriously.
“I’m very grateful to have the Leicestershire and Rutland basketball league community behind our fundraising, with everyone coming together each year to celebrate Andi and support research into brain tumours.”
Linda added: "I'm so grateful to Ross for keeping Andi's memory alive. I don't want Andi ever to be forgotten and I really appreciate all the effort Ross puts into these charity matches. I'm grateful, too, to all the boys who participate year on year.
"It's comforting to think that Andi didn't die in vain and that, through his love of basketball, leaps are being made towards bringing about better outcomes for those diagnosed with brain tumours."
You can make a donation to honour Andi here.
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