How we raise the money needed to support people with a brain tumour
“brainstrust is much more than a charity. It’s a passionate, understanding and empowering community that I feel lucky to be a part of. As a community fundraiser, there isn’t a day that goes by where I’m not inspired by the work we do, the people we support and the kindness and generosity that keeps us going” – Sophie Bryan, Fundraising Manager, brainstrust
In 2019, we raised £606,754. An increase of 2% on last year’s income. This was from a diversified mix of traditional charity fundraising activity. Our funding comes from:
- Direct and regular giving from supporters
- Fundraising at home and in the community
- Sponsored events and challenges taken on by our incredible community
- Companies who support our work
- Other charities in the form of grants from trusts and foundations
- Gift Aid recovery
- In memory giving
- Trading
We have very limited income from special purpose fundraising, legacy fundraising and high-net-worth individuals and no investment income.
Fundraising headlines and highlights in recent times include:
- Renewed three-year support from the National Lottery Community Fund to expand our regional coaching support
- Ongoing support from Children with Cancer UK to deliver services for children and families who are affected by a brain tumour diagnosis
- Support from the Rank Foundation by way of their Time to Shine scheem, which privides funding and support for interns and managers for a 12-month period.
Last year, people in our community raised an incredible £211,411 through bake salees, dress-down days, marathons and challenges, and of course our annual Follow the Seagulls walks. The walks in Yorkshire, Devon, Fife and on the Isle of Wight contributed £70,000 to this total.
We are eternally grateful to our corporate supporters, who include Roche, Siemens Healthineers, Millgate Homes and RoyaleLife. These organisations contributed £50,733 to our work last year.
Sadly, many of the people we help do not survive their brain tumour diagnosis. Many families chose to express their gratitude to brainstrust by fundraising in memory of a loved one. Last year this activity raised £21,322, which we have used prudently to help others on their brain tumouor journey.
Individual and regular donors are playing an increasingly important part in our fundraising, with support here totalling £15,480, of which £6,149 was regular giving. This represents an increase in regular gifts of 29%.