We want to say a massive thank you to everyone who took part in Wear A Hat Day on Friday 27th March.
Your incredible efforts have already helped to raise thousands of pounds and your donations are still coming through. Every contribution is making a huge difference, supporting vital research and campaigning to find a cure for brain tumours.
From wacky hat competitions and crafting classes, to bake sales and quirky quizzes, your involvement helped bring attention to this devastating disease and bring hope to patients and their families.
Joining us to launch this year’s campaign, the world’s oldest hat shop, Lock & Co., hosted an event with celebrities and supporters, giving them style advice and VIP access to their millinery design rooms. For one day only, the heritage hat-maker became Lock & Boe, inspired by our Patron, world-class tenor, Alfie Boe OBE, whose father died of brain a tumour in 1997.
“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,” said Alfie.
Alfie was accompanied by fellow Patrons Danny Clarke and Sarah Beeny, as well as our Ambassadors, Abi Feltham and rugby stars, Tom and Vicky Chapman.
Sarah, Alfie, Tom, and Vicky
Taking inspiration from fascinators and flat caps, hundreds of supporters across the nation arranged hat-themed events in their workplaces, communities and schools.
Staff at Worthing Specsavers donned an array of hats and even got customers involved. Store manager Rachel Colcombe said: “Brain Tumour Research is a cause very close to our hearts as one of our colleagues sadly lost a family member to a brain tumour. The whole team looks forward to this day every year! In fact, our activity runs all week because we say: ‘Why only wear a hat for one day when you can be hat-tastic for a few days!
“Customers are getting involved by buying raffle tickets to win our bumper hamper, and for a donation of just £3, they can enter a draw to win back the cost of their bill, whether that’s for a sight test, glasses, contacts or anything purchased in store.”
Worthing Specsavers staff
Student Finley Shudell rounded up classmates at The Royal Latin School in Buckingham as they wore hats in memory of his mother Emma who died of a glioblastoma in 2022. He’s been raising around £1,500 each year through donations and selling our Charity pin badges. Addressing pupils at an assembly, he emphasised why raising awareness is so important.
He told us: “I joined this school in year 7, my mum unfortunately passed away at the end of that September. Each March I've been putting on Wear a Hat Day here. We've raised lots of money all together. It’s really nice seeing everybody with their hats.”
Finley (centre) with his classmates
In Lincolnshire, a Girlguiding group created a new challenge badge to raise funds for research in memory of local father Dean Miskelly who died in 2022, after his condition worsened despite surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy.
Led by his wife Amy, the girls organised a bake sale and took part in activities that included learning about brain tumours.
“Dean gave so much to his community, so it means a lot to see people coming together in his memory. Brain tumours take far too many people far too young – my husband was only 51 when he died, which is no age at all. We are taking part in Wear A Hat Day with pride, and I will continue to do what I can to support research and raise awareness because, one day, hopefully, there will be a cure,” said Amy.
Guides
Woodthorpe Junior and Infant School in Birmingham got involved in our campaign in memory of pupil Finlay Church who lost his battle with brain cancer at the age of 11. He played football, cricket and rugby and was focused on karate. All this was taken away from him when he suddenly became ill and received a diagnosis of an aggressive tumour. Despite his trauma, Finlay helped to raise more than £100,000 for Brain Tumour Research and Birmingham Children’s Hospital, before he died. He also succeeded in breaking the Guinness world record for the number of teddy bears in a line, with an impressive 15,534 teddies.
Pupils and staff honoured Finlay by selling cakes and wearing hats during our biggest awareness day.
Also commemorating Finlay were martial arts communities from across five counties who wore hats for a whole week. Having trained with Kombat Kids and proudly achieving his black belt before he passed away, he leaves a lasting legacy. Since Finlay’s diagnosis, the Kombat Kids community has raised more than £33,000 to help drive much-needed research and awareness.
Kombat Kids
Thank you to everyone who supported Wear A Hat Day 2026. If you held an event, please remember to pay in your funds.
Our flagship fundraiser is over, but our work continues as we fight to find a cure for the 13,000 people who are diagnosed with a brain tumour each year.
However you get involved, you will help change lives. Donate today or fundraise your way.
Related reading:
