Dedicated supporter, Andy Stammers (pictured above with wife Suzanne), is celebrating his 50th birthday today (3rd June). He said: “I never thought I’d reach 40, let alone 50!”
Andy was diagnosed with a grade 3 astrocytic tumour in 2011, aged 36, after suffering a seizure out of the blue. He underwent an awake craniotomy and radiotherapy and was given just two years to live.
Over the years, Andy has raised almost £14,000 for the charity by taking on a challenge each year to celebrate reaching another birthday milestone. These have included walking more than 100 miles in 72 hours in 2014 and taking on a 24-hour cycle ride from Weston Super Mare Pier to Walton Pier in Essex in 2018.
Thirteen years on and defying his prognosis, Andy is taking on a series of challenges (including completing his 50th park run two days before his birthday, performing 50 lines as the Giant in a local drama production of Jack and the Beanstalk and folding 50 origami llamas) while encouraging people to donate and/or set him a challenge as part of his 50 for 50.
Andy added: “To reach this age was never on the cards but I am so grateful to still be here and to have been able to watch my three girls grow up; they’re now 24, 21 and 15. Life hasn’t been without its emotional and physical strains that come with a brain tumour diagnosis but I am still here which is why I have set myself these crazy challenges each year I’m still alive. If we are to understand this disease we need greater investment into research.”
We wish Andy a very happy 50th and invite everyone to help Andy celebrate by donating here www.justgiving.com/page/andrew-stammers-1705092773930
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