Much-loved dad inspires fundraising to find cure for brain tumours

Two generations of Graham Green’s family will be doing the Great South Run on Sunday to raise money for Brain Tumour Research.

Portsmouth Demolition Salvage Ltd founder, Graham from Bedhampton died of a brain tumour in November 2020, at the age of 67.

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This will be the second year in which a group of almost a dozen runners hopes to add to their £6,200 from last year’s fundraising. This year the team consists of nine family members and two employees; two of Graham’s children including his son Andy Green, who took over the company after his father’s death, and four of Graham’s grandchildren whose ages range from 20 to 27.

Graham’s eldest daughter and Portsmouth Demolition Salvage Ltd payroll manager, Sharon Hayward, 51, said: ‘Dad set up the company when he was a teenager and we are a very close team. When he became unwell, we all wanted to do something to help him, and others diagnosed with the disease – it felt right.’

The grandfather-of-eight was diagnosed with a glioblastoma in July 2019 after suffering initially what was thought to be a stroke. His speech became affected and he was unable to move. He was taken to Southampton General Hospital where tests showed the devastating news of a mass on his brain.

Graham underwent an awake craniotomy at Southampton General Hospital in Portsmouth, followed by gruelling chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment however the tumour was too aggressive and he died 16 months later.

Mel Tiley, community development manager at Brain Tumour Research, said: ‘We’re grateful to Sharon and her family for sharing her father’s story. Unfortunately Graham’s experience is not uncommon and the statistics around brain tumours are a stark reminder of how they can affect anyone at any age. Their commitment to fundraising for Brain Tumour Research annually is a generous way to support us in finding a cure for the disease.’

If you’ve been inspired by Graham’s story and would like to donate to Brain Tumour Research visit braintumourresearch.org/donate