Pictured above: All the members of Ellie's Fund at our official launch with the Mayor of Scarborough, Mrs Hazel Lynskey and Robert Goodwill, MP for Scarborough and Whitby.  

Having originally started raising money for another brain tumour charity; Ellie's Fund became a registered charity in September 2010. Our registered charity number is 1138359.  

We were delighted to welcome Lady Heather Ayckbourn as our Patron in April 2011.

The trustees are:

Jason and Heather Othick, Ellie's step-dad, and mum (2nd and 3rd right)

Tina Boden  (far right)                Shaun Tymon (3rd from left)

We also have a wonderful Youth Committee, who have helped us in much of our initial admin research, and who help at, organise, and take part in many events. They are 'looked after' by Sue Pacey and Diane Whorton, and are:

Aimee Beth Dixon                        Paris Moon                        Hannah Pacey 

Jess Pacey                                  Harriet Ritchie                   Natalie Wright

Jenna Marsh                               Amy Stockill                      Amy Atkin

Maddy Wood                               (Meg Smith and Holly Oliver have both now stepped down due to other commitments)

Also pictured above is Helene Anderson, 2nd left  (who was a Trustee at the time of the picture; she is currently in the process of emigrating and has now stepped down), and Sam Risker who helped us with some of the preparations for our launch, and Emily Dixon, front, holding Ellie's photo - who is an honorary YC member until she becomes old enough to join.

 

Statistics

Did you know that:

• 16,000 people each year in the UK are diagnosed with a brain tumour
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• 20% of all cancers now spread to the brain
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• More men under the age of 45 and women under the age of 35 die from a brain tumour than any other cancer
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• While the five-year survival rate for many cancers is over 50% and rising to over 90% for some cancers, for brain tumours, the five year survival rate for men is 14.1% and women is now 13.8%
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• Brain tumours are the most common solid tumour found in children and they have overtaken leukaemia as the biggest cancer killer of children in the UK
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• The number of children dying from a brain tumour in 2007 was 33% higher than in 2001; child deaths from leukaemia were 39% lower than in 2001
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• Brain tumour research receives less than 1% (0.7%) of cancer research spending in the UK
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• The amount the government has spent on cancer research related to brain tumours in 2007-8 is half the 'official' figure of £970,000 from the Medical Research Council

Of the 16,000 people a year that are diagnosed with a brain tumour, 6,400 (40%)  are primary tumours originating in the brain while the remaining are secondary tumours which have spread to the brain from primary tumours at other sites of the body. Indeed around 25% of all cancers spread to the brain.

Adults and children who do survive are left with side effects which affect them for the rest of their lives.

Further information can also be found at www.braintumourresearch.org

Here are our objectives:

1. To promote, support and ensure publication of research into the causes and treatment of brain tumours and;

2. With particular emphasis on children and young people, to provide grants and financial assistance to provide equipment, facilities and other support for the benefit of sufferers of brain tumours and other cancers, their families and carers.

The family feel that although nothing will ever bring Ellie back - or 'make it OK', that at least if there are people trying to DO SOMETHING about it, it will make the incredibly painful loss of Ellie slightly easier to bear.

 Ellie's Fund registered address is 15 Pinfold Close, Scarborough, North Yorkshire, YO12 6UZ.