The Lewis Moody Foundation was set up in 2014 and, looking back, we couldn’t be more proud to say that we’ve raised over £2 million for research into brain tumours and funding for vital support services for those impacted by this awful disease. We couldn’t have done this without our community and although this is a hugely exciting milestone, there’s a still lot to do!
Our inspiration to launch The Foundation came from a truly exceptional young man – Joss Rowley Stark. After meeting Joss, who passed away in 2013, Lewis and Annie Moody were determined to set up a Foundation that would have a real impact on young people affected by a cancer diagnosis.
Administered by The Brain Tumour Charity, since day one The Foundation has focused on funding the most pioneering research into brain tumours and providing the very best support and care for those affected by a brain tumour diagnosis.
Brain tumour treatments haven’t changed much in 40 years, yet they are the biggest cancer killer of the under 40s. Lewis and Annie have always felt passionately about tackling these statistics and making a real difference – and boy have they done that!
The Challenges
Since 2014 Lewis has been joined by some amazing fundraisers who have taken on challenges all over the world! From cycling across Cambodia, kayaking in France and even trekking to the South and North Poles, all these individuals have helped us to raise hundreds of thousands on each challenge, playing a huge part in reaching the incredible £2 million milestone we’ve reached today.
Challenges have always been something that both Lewis and Annie love to get stuck into, so when our South Pole team headed back in January 2020, we were looking forward to a jam packed calendar of events. However COVID-19 hit The Foundation hard, with all planned events and in-person activities coming to an abrupt end.
Once COVID-19 cases declined, we were excited about the return of challenges as a way to engage our supporters again and continue to build upon our previous successes. So we don’t want to stop now, have a look at our latest challenges coming up in 2022 and beyond.
Our impact
The Lewis Moody Foundation has been dedicated to raising awareness of the signs and symptoms of brain tumours. From the very start, we wanted to make this a priority and through the Headsmart campaign, a collaboration between The Brain Tumour Charity and the University of Nottingham, we played our part in seeing the diagnosis time of paediatric brain tumours from 13 to 6.5 weeks – something we are hugely proud to have been a part of.
Research is vital to a better understanding of brain tumour structure, prognosis and ultimately developing treatment options. We have funded, and will continue to fund the very best research globally in collaboration with The Brain Tumour Charity and ensure that the biggest strides are made for those impacted by brain tumours.
The impact that such a diagnosis has is immeasurable. Regardless of age, gender identity, wealth or education brain tumours are indiscriminate. We’ve seen the impact that they can have on individuals – often at great speed. This is why we’re proud to fund Family Days and support services for those affected – both for patients and carers. COVID-19 sadly saw our in person days cancelled and replaced, where possible, by virtual meet ups, but we are so excited to be able to look forward to the return of in person days in 2022.
We would like to thank our whole community who have supported us since day one; challengers, donors, corporate supporters, volunteers and ambassadors – you are truly one in a million! (2 million to be precise!)
Here’s to the next £2million and beyond!
Together we can #TackleBrainTumours.