Charlotte’s story
- Anita and Colin Smith’s beautiful tw
in daughter Charlotte was diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumour in May 2007, just 4 days after her 16th birthday. The surgeon who operated on Charlotte told us that her prognosis was poor. Seven months later, whilst on chemotherapy, she was diagnosed with a second brain tumour.
Charlotte began a new treatment in March 2008. Very sadly, she lost her battle against this wicked disease after such amazing courage and bravery on 21st April 2008, exactly one month before her 17th birthday. Through her Fund of Hope, Charlotte’s battle continues to help others. This was one of her wishes. One thing you learn is that you never stop looking for a cure.
Charlotte’s I believe I can Fund of Hope is raising money to support the UK’s first nationally accessible brain tumour tissue bank at Southern General Hospital in Glasgow. Charlotte’s fund has also funded laboratory research and translational medicine at the University of Portsmouth. brainstrust is proud to be supporting Charlotte’s family.
Support Charlotte’s Fund
Anita, Colin and Jack, Charlotte’s twin brother, fundraise tirelessly with brainstrust for Charlotte’s Fund of Hope and have so far raised £60,000. Their efforts are funding the UK’s first nationally accessible brain tumour tissue bank at Southern General Hospital in Glasgow, and have also funded brain tumour research at Portsmouth University.
Launched on the 20th September 2011, the bank is the first of its kind, acting as a repository of clinical information for all scientific, academic and commercial researchers across the UK.
This means that, for the first time, researchers from any organisation, irrespective of location, will be able to directly access tissue to test for sensitivity to chemotherapy, for genetic links and to identify key markers for treatment that will, it is hoped, increase treatment options for future brain tumour patients.
Your donations to Charlotte’s Fund of Hope make it possible for the bank to stay open. So, please, click here to make a donation today, letting us know your donation is for Charlotte’s Fund of Hope.
‘But I Do Love You’
Charlotte loved to sing and she recorded herself singing But I Do Love You by LeAnn Rimes with her brother Jack on guitar. Listen to the clip below to hear Charlotte’s beautiful voice…
Buy your copy of Charlotte’s song and support Charlotte’s I believe I can Fund of Hope by phoning HQ on 01983 292 405.
You can also buy online, it’s fast, easy and secure with Google Checkout or Paypal. All proceeds go to Charlotte’s Fund of Hope, please give more if you can to support her campaign.
Charlotte’s CD is available for £5 (minimum donation).
Hey,
My family and I have always been really sorry to hear what happened to Charlotte and her lovely family; I never understand why such terrible things happen to such good people. But anyway, I’m on the Moviola committee in Ashurst and they were looking for a charity to raise some money for. I hope you don’t mind but I mentioned Charlotte’s ‘I believe I can’ fund in the hope that we could raise some funds and awareness in the village. I was just writing to ask if you would be OK with this and also if there’s a registered charity number we could use or anything. If her family do not want this to go ahead so close to their home, I understand. It was just an idea…
Hope to hear from you soon, Sian
Hi, Sam
Good to hear from you – thank you! This would be perfect and I am sorry for not replying sooner. Because Charlotte’s Fund of Hope is registered with brainstrust you can use our registered number which is 1114634. I know that Anita would be so happy that you are doing this and I am sure she wouldn’t mind coming along if you would like her to.
Please keep me posted as to how things go. You could also look at our fundraising pages for some other ideas:
Just email me is you need more info!
LOL
Helen
Hi I am a friend of Rob and Sophie Sparks and have been made aware of Charlotte’s Fund of Hope. Are the family happy for me to go ahead and raise money for the charity in any way I can? Or should I run any ideas past them first?
I am a mum and love horses, so would like to help? Am specifically trying to raise funds with the Brecon Beacons ride in mind?
Kind Regards
Jane
Hello,
I am Susannah Bond, niece of Jack Kerman. My friend Emily and I would like to raise money for Charlottes Charity, by carol singing around our local area, and would like to have your permission to go ahead and go ahead. The carol singing has been very popular in previous years and we would like to use this opportunity to help the charity. Susannah and her mum remember Jack from being in an outdoor production of “oh what a lovely war” in lyndhurst a few years ago. We are very keen to raise as much money as possible for this charity . please let us know if there is any paper work we would need whilst carol singing. Thank You ,
Susannah And Emily
Hi Susannah and Emily
Thanks so much for your wonderful offer. If you want I could send you a collecting tin to collect the money in so that you have something saying brainstrust on it. Otherwise, just let me know how you get on…and thank you again for your wonderful support.
Best wishes
Tessa
Hello Tessa ! Sorry we couldn’t get back to you sooner. Because of the weather, we were unsure of whether the carol singing would be able to take place. However, we have decided to go caroling tonight. We will make our own pot, and put the charity logo on it. Is there any other information we need to include on the pot? We were also wondering how we would get the money to you. Thank You,
Emily and Susannah
We have now done our Carol singing, we did it on the 22nd December and although it as a small party of singers we managed to sing to about 10 houses. our final total was £80.16! we used handmade pots, i hope that is ok and it was very sucsessful we think.
many thanks
susannah x
hi
we were jus wondering, we still have the money that we raised and we dont know where to send it. could we send it to Anita Smith or is there a certain way we need to send it ?
thankyou
susannah and emily