A Bedfordshire golf club has selected Brain Tumour Research as its charity of the year after one of its members lost his life to the disease.
As keen golfers, Chris Kermath and her husband of 41 years, Ian, were long-term members of Mount Pleasant Golf Club in Lower Stonton. Now, as ladies vice-captain for 2023, Chris has chosen “without hesitation” to support Brain Tumour Research as her ladies’ charity of the year.
It’s after Ian was diagnosed with a glioblastoma (GBM) in April 2017. Ian was told his tumour was inoperable and that radiotherapy might only extend his life by a month, so he opted for palliative care. He died peacefully at home four months later, aged 67.
Chris said: “Ian was never in physical pain and didn’t appear to be in distress, but the change in the man I had known was so stark it was awful. Thankfully, he went peacefully.
“What happened to Ian was a tragedy and I miss him terribly, but I can’t help but think that he at least got to live 67 years. With brain tumours killing more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer, not everyone is so lucky. We need to fund more research to ensure young people who have their whole lives ahead of them are able to live long, full lives.”
The club’s planned fundraisers include a Wear A Hat Day event on Friday 31st March, Ascot Ladies Day in June, Ladies Captain Day in August and an invitation day for other clubs in the county in September.
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