Brain tumour patient raises money for charity while self-isolating

Zoe Beckett, 43, of Havant, took part in Brain Tumour Research’s Wear A Hat Day.

Inspired by her experience with the disease, Zoe hosted the online fundraiser on Friday which saw her challenge friends and family to post a hatty selfie online, raising more than £160.

A learning support assistant at Riders Junior School, Zoe was diagnosed with a tangerine-sized meningioma in 2012 - with her life never the same since. The inoperable tumour damaged Zoe’s pituitary gland leaving her on hormone replacement medication for the rest of her life.

Zoe said: ‘It was fantastic to raise hundreds of pounds for Wear A Hat Day and I hope to have raised awareness in the Havant community.

‘My original idea was to hold a cake sale at Riders Junior School but, as I am self-isolating because of the coronavirus pandemic, I had to alter my plans. Nothing was going to stop me fundraising, however, and I’m very grateful for the support of my family and friends who donated.’

Zoe’s diagnosis came after her periods stopped and she suffered from extreme lethargy while in her final year studying early childhood studies at the University of Chichester, in 2012. She had radiotherapy and now requires routine scans.

She added: ‘Despite the fact my tumour is low-grade, it’s had a huge impact on my life. Many people have told me how lucky I am that my tumour isn’t more aggressive, but my diagnosis changed my life dramatically.’

The event, which has raised more than £1.25m since it was launched 11 years ago, saw hundreds of individuals in Portsmouth and across the UK don their hats to help fund the fight against brain tumours.

Charlie Allsebrook, community fundraising manager at Brain Tumour Research in the South East, said: ‘It is heart-warming to see the lengths people have gone to in order to change their fundraising plans and maintain their support for our vital work in raising awareness of brain tumours and funding research to help find a cure.’

To donate to Zoe’s fundraising page go to https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Zoe-Beckett4

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