Meet your community team
Our community fundraising team are here to guide, support and encourage you at each stage of your fundraising journey. Everything that you’re doing is helping us to move closer to a cure. We’re here to help you in any way that we can.
With community fundraising you can turn a passion or hobby into a fundraising challenge or
why not push yourself to try something new in the name of positive change. Whether,
you choose to pound the pavements, or put some pedal power behind your
fundraising or show off your livestreaming skills and raise vital funds.
Every step, stream or sponsored challenge brings us closer to finding kinder and
vital treatments for all affected by brain tumours. Tell us your plans and
register your event here, we can’t wait to help you achieve your fundraising
goals!!
Francesca Towson
Head of Fundraising (Community)
Francesca Towson is Head of Fundraising (Community Fundraising) at The Brain Tumour Charity. Francesca has over 20 years’ experience in Community Fundraising within the Charity sector. Previously having worked for a number of charities including Make- A-Wish Foundation UK and Brain Tumour UK.
Francesca’s passion for the charity stems from personal connection with the impact this devastating disease can have on families and loved ones. Through leading a team of Community Fundraisers across the UK and developing a strong Supporter Group community, she hopes to be empower those affected to take back control by supporting them in their fundraising activities.
Nadia Whitmore
Community Fundraiser Scotland, North West and Northern Ireland
Sonja Bateup
Community Fundraiser South and South East
I joined the Brain Tumour Charity to help play a part in the positive change the organisation has achieved and is working towards for those living with brain tumours.
I have been in the fundraising sector for nearly 13 years with the majority of that working within community fundraising. Being able to go out and meet the amazing communities we work with and getting to know them and see them reach new goals through their events and activities is second to none.
My favourite part of this job is being able to see and hear about the impact our amazing communities make within the cause and helping to build and be a part of wonderful community based relationships that grow every year.
Liam Mackinder
Lily Finlay
Community Fundraiser for North East and Yorkshire
I joined the brain tumour charity so that I could work in a role which combined two of my passions – events and helping others. Being able to collaborate on exciting community projects with people who want to make a difference brings me so much joy.
A fun fact about me is that I taught myself guitar at age 13 and I still play and write music now!
My favourite part of the job is going to events, meeting people in our community, and building those precious working relationships with our fundraisers.
Evangeline Wragg
Regional Community Fundraising Manager (North)
I joined the brain tumour charity so that I could work in a role which allowed me to combine my passion of community work and supporting others to achieve their event goals. I love getting to know the community and and see their events come to life and help make a difference for the brain tumour community.
A fun fact about me is that I fed wild reindeer in Norway on a solo adventure.
My favourite part of the job is attending events, meeting people in our community, and building strong community relationships that continue to grow and develop year on year.
Laura Benge
Community Fundraiser for East of England
I joined The Brain Tumour Charity in September 2025 as the Community Fundraiser for the East of England.
I am personally motivated to fundraise for this cause as I have experienced the utter heartbreak of losing a dear friend to a brain tumour.
Having worked in fundraising at the NSPCC, Comic Relief and the ExtraCare Charitable Trust I hope I can bring some experience to enable and elevate the fundraising activities of the charity’s incredible supporters
Remembering Viv McBeth
We are extremely sad to have lost our wonderful and much-loved colleague Viv, to a brain tumour. Viv was our amazing Community Fundraiser in Scotland and helped to raise a huge amount of awareness and funds.
We are sure, like us, many of you will remember how her courage and humour provided support, hope and inspiration to everyone she met. We will miss her so much.