A grieving family has kicked off their ambition to help find a cure for brain tumours with a fundraising football tournament.
Simon Penwright passed away in November 2023, aged 52, just 10 months after being diagnosed with a glioblastoma (GBM). In his honour, Simon’s loved ones have launched a Fundraising Group called Simon’s Drive which is supporting Brain Tumour Research in the hope of improving outcomes for future patients.
The football tournament at Cedar’s Upper School in Leighton Buzzard, held on Sunday 31st August, was the group’s first official fundraising event and raised more than £1,500. A packed schedule included an under 16s match before eight teams battled it out in a five-a-side competition, while spectators enjoyed games and refreshments.
There’s a real family connection with the school as Simon’s stepdaughter Megan was a former student, her younger sister Maisie is joining the school this month and mum Simon’s wife Emily also attended.
Emily said: “Although not a massive football fan, Si enjoyed playing the sport in his younger days before he incurred an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury. It was great to see the teams, which included a squad of Si’s school mates and another side comprising of some of Maisie’s teachers from Linslade Middle, fight it out for the trophy.”
The winning team - Roger's Boiled Eggs
Although the first official event organised by the group, Simon’s family and friends have already raised tens of thousands of pounds for Brain Tumour Research. Their activities have included a charity race night, skydive, virtual dog show, supporters running the TCS London Marathon and more.
Emily added: “It was so shocking when Si was diagnosed and told he probably had just 12 months to live – in fact it was just 10. You don’t expect in this day and age there to be no cure, let alone that brain tumour treatments have barely changed in the last two decades. That’s why we started fundraising when Si was still with us and had already raised more than £48,000 for Brain Tumour Research even before the launch of Simon’s Drive.”
To support Simon’s Drive with a donation, please visit their JustGiving page: www.justgiving.com/campaign/simonsdrive
Emily (left) and the team at the footie tournament
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Published Wednesday 4th September 2024.