Jim McVey John Norman Pam Brown
04.09.60 – 06.04.11 07.09.70 – 20.04.11 02.06.45 – 21.05.11
We are Sarah McVey, Helen Norman and Tony Brown and we have set up the SDBTT Brains Unite Fund as a result of losing our respective loved ones Jim, John and Pam earlier this year.
Jim, John and Pam were each diagnosed with a GMB4 within weeks of each other in the early part of 2010, and all three were given almost identical timetables for their radiotherapy and chemotherapy treatment. Our paths had never crossed before then and, as a result of this horrible situation we found ourselves in, we all became friends very early on. Jim, John and Pam were able to support each other whilst they were going through their treatments, they swapped notes about symptoms and how they were feeling, and generally helped each other through the progression of their illnesses by talking and listening to each other. It wasn’t all doom and gloom – because each of them had a great sense of humour, more often than not we were all sat laughing in the waiting room at the hospital, and it was rare to hear any of them moaning about their situation. They were extremely brave and courageous individuals.
Sadly, Jim, John and Pam lost their battle against this awful disease within six weeks of each other in April/May 2011 – just a year after their diagnosis. Since their passing, the three of us left behind have become firm friends and we continue to support each other in our struggle to come to terms with our loss. However, like Jim, John and Pam we also try to have a laugh when we meet up because they wouldn’t want us to be sad.
We are determined that our loved one’s deaths are not in vain, and we will do whatever we can to help others in a similar situation. We therefore intend to raise as much money and awareness as we can for the SDBTT through our Brains Unite Fund, and will do whatever weird and wonderful things we can to achieve that. A memorial football match organised by Jim’s family has already taken place at which over £1,000 was raised, and donations from family and friends made in respect of each of their funerals added up to almost £1,500.
To get in touch with Brains Unite, please email them at brainsunite@yahoo.co.uk
Visit their website by clicking here.
Forthcoming 2011 Fundraising Events:-
On Sunday 25th September 2011 Helen, Tony and six other family members all very bravely took part in a tandem skydive at the Duke of Gloucester Barracks, Cirencester. Sarah was on drinks and sandwich duty, whilst rattling the collection tin amongst the spectators on the ground. The day raised an amazing £7, 505!
Sunday 9th October 2011 at 9.00am – Christianne McMillen and Samantha Parker (aka Team Wino) will be taking part in the London Royal Parks Half Marathon. Christianne and Sam were work colleagues of John, and they continue to be of great support.
Saturday 19th November 2011 from 7.30pm to 1.30am – A dinner/dance and charity auction is booked to take place at the home of Reading FC and The Madejski Hotel. Past and present Reading FC players will be in attendance on the night as guest speakers, and lots of sports related memorabilia from various premiership clubs will be up for grabs, as well as other auction lots and raffle prizes to appeal to those not-so-football-mad guests. Tickets are £25 each and include a three course meal with wine.
Sunday 4th December 2011 – Sarah, Tony and Helen will all be joining team SDBTT at the London Santa Run. The lucky trio will be wearing a Santa suit and running 5 km around Greenwich Park.
Visit their page – http://www.doitforcharity.com/HNorman
Brains Unite on BBC Berkshire
On 14th November, Sarah and Helen were interviewed on the Anne Diamond show on BBC Berkshire radio. Sarah and Helen spoke to Anne about how they had come to form Brains Unite and how they had all faced the diagnosis, treatment and loss of Jim, John and Pam.
Charity Ball at the Madjeski Stadium – Saturday 19th November
The SDBTT Brains Unite Fund held their first charity ball on Saturday 19th November at the Madjeski stadium in Reading, Berkshire. SDBTT founders, Neil and Angela Dickson were delighted to attend and meet the group for the first time. The night raised over £7, 500, a really fantastic total.
Proposed 2012 Fundraising Events :-
Future plans include a memorial football match in April 2012, a golf day, and a quiz night. Full details of all events will be posted here in due course.
Inspirational Soul
Julie Prince, friend of Sarah McVey and the Brains Unite team hosted a charity soul night at the PentaHotel, Oxford Road, Reading on Saturday 10th March 2012 and raised an amazing £1,700! A huge thank you goes to Julie Prince for organising the event, to everyone who attended and to the DJs who gave up their free time to keep guests dancing until the small hours!
Mizuno Reading Half Marathon
Big congratulations to Chris Millard, friend of Sarah McVey and the Brains Unite team, who ran his first half marathon in Reading and completed it in 2 hours 39 minutes!