Brain Tumour Research fundraiser Karen Carter-Bates, who has raised more than £40,000 since her seven-year-old son died from a brain tumour, has been recognised at one of our dedicated research centres.
Full-time mum Karen, from north London, lost her son Charlie Carter-Bates to a grade 4 glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) brain tumour in 2010. On Monday 7 October Karen was invited to our research centre at Queen Mary University London (QMUL), to place seven tiles on the Wall of Hope. The centre is one of four receiving funding from the charity. It is focused on research to improve treatments for patients with brain tumours and, ultimately, finding a cure. Each tile placed on the wall represents the £2,740 it costs to fund a day of research.
In February 2014 Karen founded Charlie Charges On in memory of Charlie, who loved rhinos. Since its launch, the Fundraising Group has held numerous events, including a black-tie ball and a Greek night in honour of Charlie’s love for Cyprus and his Greek-Cypriot heritage.
Karen chose seven special dates on the Wall of Hope to place her tiles – they include 18 June, the day she married Charlie’s dad Dean, 31 December, as Charlie loved New Year’s Eve and would always ask ‘is it Happy New Year yet, mum?’ and 15 November, the day he died.
Janice Wright, Community Fundraising Manager for Brain Tumour Research, said: “Karen has raised an incredible amount for our charity and we’re really pleased she has been to see the research taking place at the Queen Mary University London, and place tiles, to represent the fantastic fundraising she’s done. Stories like young Charlie’s remind us that we cannot allow this desperate situation to continue.”
Related reading
- Charlie Charges On is one of a number of the Brain Tumour Research family of Fundraising Groups
- Could you help us find a cure?
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