Big Wight Matter

Join Andrea’s Gift and friends of the 14 UK brain tumour charities that have joined together to form Brain Tumour Research in a fun walking event …

Big + Wight + Matter = Family fun on the Isle of Wight! 

Join in, raise much needed funds for the brain cancer community and have a great time in the process!

 Where: Brighstone Holiday Centre, Isle of Wight

When: 25 – 27 September 2009

Who: Families and friends of the brain tumour community

What: an invitation to people and dogs of all ages to raise funds for their favourite brain cancer charity affiliated to Brain Tumour Research! You can participate at whatever level you want. Two fifteen mile walks, taking in the breathtaking scenery and big skies of West Wight, can be done on two consecutive days. Much shorter walks will also be organised for little legs!

Basecamp will be at Brighstone Holiday Centre, where additional entertainment and events will be provided such as music, a hog roast, BBQ facilities, swimming and the all important beer tent. You will be able to walk from basecamp straight onto the cliff paths and wherever possible walks will be off roads. A quiz/treasure hunt will be included and there will be a prize giving ceremony.

How will this event raise much needed funds for my favourite brain cancer charity?

You’ll be able to support the brain tumour community twice over! Firstly through seeking sponsorship for your efforts for Andrea’s Gift, whatever the length of walk you opt to do. And secondly, by donating the miles you walk to IBTA, you will be contributing to IBTA’s annual Walk Around the World for Brain Tumours.

This event is being organised by brainstrust on behalf of Brain Tumour Research and its affiliated charities. You will need to register with brainstrust to be able to participate in this event, more information very soon!

Walk Around the World for Brain Tumours – Sunday 4th October 2009

Join supporters and friends on Sunday 4th October 2009 when we will walk either 10k or 10 miles along the Leeds Liverpool Canal, raising funds for Andrea’s Gift in this sponsored event.  Download a Sponsor Form or create an online sponsorship page at Justgiving  and follow the Raise Money link.

We shall once again join in the International Brain Tumour Alliance Walk Around the World for Brain Tumours event, coming together with organisations across the world to raise awareness of this disease.  This year, brain tumour charities and groups will attempt to walk around the world five times, covering a total of 125,000 miles or 200,000 kms.

There will be a choice of distance, with everyone starting from Kirkstall, Leeds.  Those undertaking 10 miles will meet at the start point at 09:30 for a 10:00 start.  They will then walk a 5 mile route to Apperley Bridge before turning around and walking back to the start. 

The 10k walkers will follow the same route, registering at 10:15 and starting their walk at 10:45.  They will walk 3 miles to Rodley before turning around and walking back to the start. 

Parking will be arranged and hopefully will be in the BHS car park – this will be confirmed asap.  Also, we hope that lunch will be available for those who are in need of nourshment at the Old Bridge Inn.  Refreshments will be available at Rodley.

Please let Carol know if you would like to take part and join in the Walk Around the World for Brain Tumours event, everyone welcome – children and dogs in particular!

Big Bike Ride – Update

Total raised so far £22,500!

We had another wonderful event on Saturday 16th May when 240 cyclists set off on the 65 mile or 100km journey from Wetherby to Scarborough.

Organiser Carol Robertson said “the first time we did the bike ride in 2004 there were just 11 of us, today there are 240 registered riders which is fantastic!”

 There were real concerns that the weather would make the event a washout, but after a brief shower at 9am, the clouds lifted and a lovely day emerged, with the added benefit of a slight tail wind to the finish.

 The Big Bike Ride is always an emotional event as participants ride in memory of special people lost to brain tumours, some ride in support of others living with the condition and some simply ride and have a great day.  Whatever the reason for taking part the organisers want to thank all the riders for making a difference to the lives of brain tumour patients in Yorkshire.

Congratulations went to our three young riders who completed the course in fine style – Sam Lund age 15, Daniel Coulton age 13 and 12 year old Lorna Willey.

There was also the regular fancy dress contingent – a group of riders from Darlington riding in memory of Andrew Clemence, who managed the course dressed as a Buddhist monk, the incredible hulk, Dennis the Menace and a super hero supported by a bus full of naughty nuns! 

It was an amazing day and the organisers’ hope a good deal of money raised for Andrea’s Gift and brain tumour patients and research in Yorkshire.

Darlington Dynamos, riding in memory of Andrew Clemence

 

 

 

 

 

Band of Brothers, riding in memory of Pete Lambert

 

 

 

Team ACT at the finish - the team with the 3 youngest riders in the field!

GDF Suez Leeds Half Marathon

Total raised so far – £11,500!

We had a fantastic day at the GDF Leeds Half Marathon on Sunday 10th May 2009!  Lots of runners for Andrea’s Gift were present, thank you to everyone who participated in this great event.

Particular thanks to Calendar’s Vicky Locklin who ran her first marathon in 2hours for Andrea’s Gift!

Thanks also to GDF Suez and to Lynne Preston and Paul Mosely from Leeds Sports Development for their help and support.

Charity Concert in Memory of Chris Gibson – Saturday 2nd May 2009

Roger Davies with Amy Atkinson & Midnight Special

This amazing event raised almost £700 and was such fun!                                                            

Roger Davies with Amy Atkinson & Midnight Special

Six a Side Football Tournament – Sunday 12th July 2009

We had a brilliant time at the Andrea’s Gift Annual Football Tournament at  Goals Soccer Centre, 282 Kings Road, Swain House, Bradford BD2 1NR on Sunday 12^th July 2009.

16 teams came together to slug it out – the winners of the Elite contest were Manz Needz and the Fun tournament winners were once again the Net Terriers.

Goals were kind to us and gave us a very generous rate so please visit their website and perhaps you may wish to consider them for future games and events of your own.

Thank you to Danny Foster for organising the event and to everyone else who helped and supported and contributed to the charity raising over £500!

Janet Lee’s Open House – Sunday 19th July 2009

Another wonderful event with a magnificent strawberry tea emerged on  Sunday 19th July at the home of Janet Lee – and almost £500 raised too!

A Night for Heroes – Sunday 3rd May 2009

A Night for Heroes in memory of Howard Sparnenn raised an amazing £8,000 for Andrea’s Gift!

It was a fantastic evening of live music at the The Duchess, Stonebow, York and was a wonderful memorial to Howard Sparnenn.

Lord Mayor’s Fundraising Evening with Opera North – Thursday 7th May 2009

A lovely evening of music provided by Opera North, together with food and fun was enjoyed by over 120 people in the Leeds Civic Hall.  This was the final fundraising event in the Lord Mayor of Leeds, Councillor Frank Robinson’s Mayoral year.

A Thank You & Drop In Party – Saturday 9th May 2009 from 10 – 3pm

Almost £2,300 was raised by the Barnes family who organised a family day in Guiseley.  People dropped in, had lovely coffee and cakes and enjoyed live music.  Thankfully the weather stayed fine for a brilliant day of fun!