Hilarious household hats could help find brain tumour cure
A young mother on a mission to find a brain tumour cure has launched a social media challenge to raise awareness of the disease and to fund research.
Katie Smith, 33, from Stourbridge, is hoping to create an online sensation with her Hilarious Household Hats fundraising challenge.
She is encouraging friends, family and members of the public to take a picture of themselves using an everyday object as a hat, sharing on social media, and donating to the Brain Tumour Research charity.
Unusual creations captured so far include a tape dispenser, a cat, and a pansy in a pot.
The online fundraiser takes place during Brain Tumour Awareness month, which runs throughout March, and culminates in Wear A Hat Day on March 29.
Katie, mother to 20-month-old son Eli, said: “I’ve taken part in Wear A Hat Day for several years but this time I wanted to do something a little different, to encourage people to fundraise throughout Brain Tumour Awareness month.
“I’ve already had lots of friends and family members agree to participate in the Hilarious Household Hats social media challenge and I hope that people in the Midlands and across the UK join me in taking part. It’s such a simple and easy way to raise both vital funds and awareness for this devastating disease, which has been historically underfunded.”
Katie added: “I’m currently undergoing my fifth round of chemotherapy to treat my oligoastrocytoma which was diagnosed four years ago, having also endured radiotherapy and two operations. Now, living with the knowledge that I may not make it to 40, I’m determined to do all I can to help other patients and their families. After my diagnosis, it was tough to learn that, on average, less than 20% of those diagnosed with a brain tumour survive beyond five years compared with an average of 50 per cent across all cancers, and because of this I want to help raise awareness.
“Fundraising has given me a great deal of purpose and it’s fun to get Eli involved too. I hope he grows up to be proud of me.”
Hilarious Household Hats is one of several activities organised by Katie and her husband Luke during a year dedicated to fundraising. The couple recently launched Brainstorm, a Fundraising Group under the umbrella of Brain Tumour Research, with an ambitious aim to raise £90,000 by the end of 2019.
Carrie Bater, community fundraising manager for Brain Tumour Research in the Midlands said: “It’s brilliant to see Katie so dedicated to the cause and we hope she inspires people to join her in her social media challenge to raise awareness throughout Brain Tumour Awareness month, ahead of Wear A Hat Day.”
Funds raised on Wear A Hat Day will develop the charity’s network of world-class brain tumour research centres in the UK, where scientists are focused on improving outcomes for patients and, ultimately, finding a cure.
To take part in Hilarious Household Hats, use the hashtag #WhatzHat and text HOUSEHAT to 70085 to donate £2
