Suffolk-based Sally Bramall has been nominated for ‘Fundraiser of the Year’ by the Institute of Fundraising (IoF) for her and her supporters’ outstanding work in raising awareness and funds.
Lizzie’s Fund, in memory of her daughter who died from a brain tumour in November 2018, has raised nearly £300,000 to date .
Lizzie Bramall was diagnosed with the inoperable tumour in February 2018 after experiencing two weeks of symptoms including intermittent double vision and balance problems. She was diagnosed with a diffuse midline glioma (also known as a DIPG) and sadly died in November 2018 just a week before her 10th birthday.
Sally said: “The nomination honours the passion expressed by hundreds of people to make a difference for critical research into childhood brain cancer. Lizzie was only nine when diagnosed but incredibly motivated to do something to raise money for the research trial she was on.
“She started by organising a big bake sale at her school and then published her own recipe book – this positive drive from her really rubbed off on all her friends and family.
“Hundreds of children from Lizzie’s school did the Twilight Walk, The Brain Tumour Charity’s annual event last October, on the same day we opened a cookery room in Lizzie’s school Littlegarth School in Nayland, near Colchester.
“We’re currently organising a Keep Baking at Home bake sale for people to bake and sell their favourite makes, either to members of their own household or to friends and neighbours which can be delivered safely with social distancing. We thought it would be a great Half Term activity, or perfect for anyone needing a little baking pick me up!”.
“I hope that the nomination helps raise awareness of the need to invest in research to change the diagnosis for childhood brain cancer and to say a heartfelt thank you to those who have taken Lizzie’s inspiration to heart and done something positive.”
A key part of our strategy in driving change for everyone affected by a diagnosis, is its development of BRIAN, a free global web app that allows patients to make better informed decisions about the disease and help accelerate research to find a cure.
“Lizzie understood right from her diagnosis about the importance of research and BRIAN is a critical knowledge bank to help researchers find solutions to treat brain tumours.
“Public awareness of investing in research feels heightened by the COVID crisis, so more accessible medical data can only help scientists find the magic key so desperately needed to find a cure for something like DIPG, where standard palliative treatment has remained fundamentally the same for over half a century.”
“Brain tumours are the biggest cancer killer of young people – this award nomination inspires me to keep driving towards changing this devastating statistic and ensuring the loss of a child doesn’t happen to other families.”
Lizzie’s story continues to galvanise the community and inspire so many others in the UK facing such a devastating diagnosis.
The winners of the IoF award will be announced on 29 May.