A Southampton GP has tackled a coastal cycle challenge in pursuit of a cure for brain tumours.
In blistering temperatures, Chris Budge joined a team of riders representing the Brain Tumour Research charity in a Randonnee, which took place around the Isle of Wight. Like other members of the team, Chris has been personally affected by a brain tumour through his work as a GP at Mansfield Park surgery in Medstead, Hampshire.
Chris, aged 51, said: “As a GP and having previously worked in neurosurgery, I have seen the devastating impact that brain tumours can have and this inspired me to fundraise for the cause. The support I have received so far has been immense – I am especially grateful for Mansfield Park surgery, who have helped me to raise donations for the charity with a book sale.”
Keen cyclist Chris, who is also a member of Fareham Wheelers Cycling Club, added: “The Randonnee combined my enjoyment of cycling and also challenged me with the opportunity to raise funds for such a worthy charity. It was the furthest I have cycled this year and, in such hot conditions, was quite the test!”
Taking place on 15th July 2018, the riders set off from Fishbourne before heading around the Island, receiving refreshments at Bembridge and Yarmouth, and finishing some 68 miles later back at the start.
Organiser of the event, Simon Tier, a project manager from Fareham, has lost several friends to brain tumours, and is a champion fundraiser for the charity.
Simon, aged 50, said: “I set up the Randonnee last year and I hope it inspires others to raise awareness for this awful disease, which has been so poorly underfunded for too long. It was motivating to be joined by a team of enthusiastic riders, including Chris, and I was moved to hear the stories of those whose lives have been touched by this disease.”
Brain tumours are indiscriminate; they can affect anyone at any age. What’s more, they kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer, yet just 1% of the national spend on cancer research has been allocated to this devastating disease.
Tim Green, Community Fundraising Manager for the Brain Tumour Research charity, said: “For too long, brain tumours have been a neglected cancer and we cannot allow this desperate situation to continue. We are extremely grateful to Chris, Simon and the other riders for their support in completing the Randonnee.
“The money Chris raised will help us in our mission to build a network of experts in sustainable research. We are funding dedicated UK Centres of Excellence – including one at the University of Portsmouth – where scientists are focused on improving outcomes for patients and, ultimately, finding a cure.”
Make a donation to Brain Tumour Research via Chris’ JustGiving page.
For further information, please contact:
Annie Slinn at the Brain Tumour Research charity on 01908 867239 or 07591 206545 or annie.slinn@braintumourresearch.org.
Notes to Editors
Brain Tumour Research is the only national charity in the UK dedicated to raising funds for continuous and sustainable scientific research into brain tumours, and we are a leading voice calling for greater support and action for research into what scientists are calling the last battleground against cancer.
We are building a network of experts in sustainable research at dedicated Centres of Excellence whilst influencing the Government and larger cancer charities to invest more nationally.
We welcome recent funding announcements for research into brain tumours from the UK Government and Cancer Research UK – £65 million pledged over the next five years. However, this potential funding of £13 million a year comes with a catch – money will only be granted to quality research proposals and, due to the historic lack of investment, there may not be enough of these applications that qualify for grants from this pot.
We want research funding parity with breast cancer and leukaemia. We are calling for a £30-35 million investment every year for research into brain tumours in order to fund the basic research groundwork needed to accelerate the translation from laboratory discoveries into clinical trials and fast-track new therapies for this devastating disease.
The Brain Tumour Research charity is a powerful campaigning organisation and represents the voice of the brain tumour community across the UK. We helped establish and provide the ongoing Secretariat for the All Party Parliamentary Group for Brain Tumours (APPGBT). We are supporting the crucial APPGBT 2018 Inquiry into the economic and social impacts of brain tumours and will publish their report in the autumn. We are also a key influencer in the development strategy for the Tessa Jowell Brain Cancer Mission.
Key statistics on brain tumours:
- Brain tumours are indiscriminate; they can affect anyone at any age
- Brain tumours kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer
- Just 1% of the national spend on cancer research has been allocated to brain tumours
- In the UK, 16,000 people each year are diagnosed with a brain tumour
- Brain tumours kill more children than leukaemia
- Brain tumours kill more men under 45 than prostate cancer
- Brain tumours kill more women under 35 than breast cancer
- Less than 20% of those diagnosed with a brain tumour survive beyond five years compared with an average of 50% across all cancers
Please quote Brain Tumour Research as the source when using this information. Additional facts and statistics are available from our website. We can also provide case studies and research expertise for the media.