Wickes’ partnership with The Brain Tumour Charity surpasses £1 million in first year
Wickes and The Brain Tumour Charity are celebrating an incredible landmark sum after collaborating on a series of fundraising missions across its 230 stores and digital channels as part of a two-year partnership.
Wickes colleagues joined forces with the team at The Brain Tumour Charity to take part in the Charity’s flagship London event in March, The Twilight Walk, alongside over 1,200 other supporters. Over the last twelve months, they have created and participated in a variety of fundraising events, including ultra-marathons, mountain hikes, bake sales, in-store promotions, a series of ‘50p asks’ across the stores, and individual challenges.
Tanya Tozer, a store manager at Wickes Worksop, said: “Hitting the £1m threshold for our charity partner is an amazing feeling. Prior to our partnership, very little was understood about just how many people are affected and how minimal the funding is. Knowing that research into brain tumours represents just 3% of the national spend on cancer, with 34 people being told every day they have a brain tumour, has been the motivation for all stores to truly help the charity both with fundraising and by helping educate and engage our colleagues, customers, friends, and family. I’ve spoken to many colleagues throughout my role as Regional Charity Champion and the engagement is second to none. It is truly inspiring seeing what our full Wickes team achieves and the buzz around key event dates is mind-blowing!”
Jeff Brazier, TV presenter and Wickes’ Wellbeing Ambassador, said: “I’m so proud of Wickes for raising £1m so far in their partnership with The Brain Tumour Charity. I’ve witnessed firsthand the amazing work that goes into wellbeing at Wickes and to see them apply the same tenacity and enthusiasm to fundraising is really heartwarming. Here’s to the next £1m!”
David Wood, CEO at Wickes, said: “I couldn’t be prouder of our colleagues, suppliers, and customers for reaching this milestone one year into our two-year partnership. In April 2023, we pledged £2 million to help this incredible charity not only campaign and find a cure for brain tumours but also support the 88,000 people in the UK who are living with a brain tumour. We are confident we will meet our pledge by April 2025.”
In 2023-24, with the Wickes partnership and funds raised, The Brain Tumour Charity’s Support Team helped:
- 12,189 individuals, 15,187 times – that’s 33% more than the previous year.
- The support line helped 3,129 people – 7% more than the previous year.
- 3,916 families at diagnosis with our information packs – up 69% year on year.
- 425 people started their counselling with the charity – up 61% on last year.
- 1.1 million active users of support through our websites.
Comments from The Brain Tumour Charity’s community: “Being part of the carers’ group was an incredible support when my mum was ill. Advice, information, and genuine care were given in a way that nobody ‘in real life’ was able to do (not because they didn’t want to but because it’s so hard to understand unless you’ve been through it).” – Peer support group user.
“I’m so grateful that you offer this amazing service. The difference I feel now from when I started this program of sessions has been life-changing. I recognise that without this I would likely be struggling – these sessions helped me reach out for additional support and organise things that will help me long term. I underestimated how much I was struggling but can reflect now from this place and see how much I’ve been able to work through and process. It’s been invaluable.” – Counselling user.
Dr Michele Afif, CEO of The Brain Tumour Charity, said: “This is a hugely inspiring moment for The Brain Tumour Charity. As we reach the one-year anniversary of our partnership with Wickes, we celebrate the incredible effort of the whole Wickes team in raising this phenomenal sum. Our partnership continues to be transformational, allowing us to invest in our new future leaders fund, more translational research, and boost our vital support services. Wickes’ support will help us reach more people affected by a brain tumour diagnosis and support them to live longer and better lives. Our heartfelt thanks and gratitude to everyone who continues to support this partnership.”
This support will enable The Brain Tumour Charity to further its work in research and increase the number of people in the community they can support. As well as a national UK-wide charity partnership, Wickes also supports charities and community groups at a local level through their Community Programme, a product donation fund of a quarter of a million pounds which in its first year supported over 1,000 charity projects. Anyone interested should pop into their local Wickes store.
Brain tumours are the biggest cancer killer of children and adults under 40. On average, a tumour can reduce the lifespan of patients by 27 years – the highest of any cancer. The Brain Tumour Charity is the UK’s largest dedicated brain tumour charity, making a difference each day to the lives of people with a brain tumour and their families. The charity funds pioneering research to increase survival, raise awareness of the symptoms and effects of brain tumours, and offers vital support and information to all those affected. At least 88,000 children and adults are currently living with a brain tumour in the UK.
