Bethany has been on a mission lately, raising funds for brainstrust and the brain tumour community. With a personal understanding of the daunting moment hearing ‘you have a brain tumour,’ Bethany is driven to give back to brainstrust. In her own words;
brainstrust offer great support to those who have a brain tumour and to their families and friends, helping to make us feel less alone dealing with our lodgers
Bethany has been incredibly active in her fundraising efforts. She donated to our 2023 Wear Grey campaign, participated in our 2023 Run Row Ride event, organised a fundraiser at the rugby club where she plays, and in April 2024, she and her partner walked the Coventry Way, a 40-mile walk around the outskirts of Coventry.
Bethany’s incredible fundraising effort currently stands at just over £1,000!
Read on to discover more about Bethany’s inspiring journey.
I chose to raise money for brainstrust as I know how terrifying it is to hear the words, you have a brain tumour. I came across brainstrust on social media during the Wear Grey campaign and followed the link to their website, they offer great support to those who have a brain tumour and to their families and friends, helping to make us feel less alone dealing with our lodgers. My lodger is called ‘Pinky’, and while scrolling through the website and social media pages I didn’t feel so alone anymore, I also realised I’m not the only one to name my lodger.
I want to share my story because at the time of my diagnosis I didn’t know who to turn to ask my avalanche of questions, I didn’t know of anyone in a similar situation that I could turn to for advice or inspiration. I want others to know that I am happy to talk about my tumour (acoustic neuroma) so they can have someone who has been there and got the t-shirt!
Originally, I asked if my rugby team could wear something grey after our match so we could post online during the Wear Grey campaign, my team came back and said why don’t we do a raffle and raise some money too? The support I have received from my teammates since my diagnosis in January 2023, has been immense, and now others get to see it too!
During the raffle I felt proud to be walking around with my brainstrust hoodie on, seeing all the support from my teammates and family wearing something grey was amazing, it was so nice to have a light-hearted fundraiser with lots of laughter and still raising money for an incredible cause. I am now looking forward to supporting the next fundraiser.