We would like to invite you to join us with our launch of ‘Raise Your Hats for Research 2012’

Brain tumour research is desperately underfunded – for every £100 raised for research into cancer, only 70p is invested into brain tumour causes and cures. It is imperative therefore, to progress brain tumour research in the UK, that funds are generated through community, corporate and commercial activity to ensure the handful of brain tumour research centres that exist across the UK can carry on the work they do to make a difference to the patients of the future.

To enable the recently launched Translational Neuro-oncology Group at LIMM (Leeds Institute for Molecular Medicine), based at St James Hospital in Leeds, to not only continue but to grow and develop a group of ladies who have all been affected by brain tumours in some way decided to come together to produce a tasteful semi nude calendar with little more than hats for cover.

The knowledge that a semi nude calendar of ladies affected by cancer was not a ground breaking concept did not deter Carol Robertson of Brain Tumour Research and Support across Yorkshire and Tina Boden, Trustee of Ellie's Fund – Brain Tumour Trust, from developing the idea for ‘Raise Your Hats for Research 2012’. Whilst asking ladies from across the Yorkshire and Humber region to get involved it soon became very apparent that 2012 could end up having twice as many months as any other year for Millenniums to come. Suddenly 34 ladies all wanted to come together to ensure this calendar was a success and would generate significant funds for the Leeds Lab that they now see as their own.

Get Ahead Hats from Snainton were kind enough to lend the ladies some of the most beautiful hats around and a fantastic day was had by all at the photo shoot at the home of Barry Hickling who most generously allowed the ladies and their support team to take over his residence and gardens for the day.