Our Founders

Neil and Angela Dickson

Neil and Angela founded the Samantha Dickson Research Trust in 1996 after the tragic loss of their daughter Samantha to a brain tumour at just 16. At the time they were horrified by the lack of funding for research and support. They knew they had to make a difference and were driven to start the charity to redress the balance. In its time, the Samantha Dickson Brain Tumour Trust (as it had then been renamed) raised over £12 million for vital research and to provide much-needed support and information.

It is testament to their hard work, dedication and commitment over the past 15 years that we have now become The Brain Tumour Charity, reflecting The Charity's position as the largest and leading brain tumour charity in the UK.

Previously running his own multi-million pound aviation business, Neil gave up his job to dedicate himself to The Charity in 2008. Neil and Angela remain actively involved with The Charity - Neil is Vice-Chair of Trustees and Angela is a Trustee.

Without Neil and Angela much of the UK’s brain tumour research over the last 15 years would not have been funded and thousands of people affected by a brain tumour would not have been supported.

Neil and Angela received a prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of their work in December 2011.

Andy Foote

After a professional football career was cut short by injury, Andy pursued a career in the motor trade, before becoming self employed in 1999. Andy has held a number of business interests including motor finance, recruitment and property in Birmingham and the West Midlands.

However, in November 2000, his son Joseph was diagnosed with a brain tumour. Andy's life had been forever changed, and his pioneering work to raise survival rates and find a cure for this devastating disease began.

In March 2001, the Foote family began raising funds for research into the causes and treatment of brain tumours – in its 12 year history The Joseph Foote Trust raised more than £2 million. Sadly, Joseph died in 2007 after a long and gruelling series of treatments, but the work of Andy and his family continues to this day with even greater conviction and drive. In 2012, a merger with Brain Tumour UK and subsequently The Brain Tumour Charity has created the second largest charity in the world dedicated solely to brain tumours with Andy as its Chair of Trustees.