A Milton Keynes woman is backing a campaign and calling on the local community to upload a 'sweaty selfie' of themselves to their social media accounts.
Celebrity trainer Nicki Waterman tragically lost her battle with an aggressive brain tumour in recent weeks.
Now her family want to fulfil her dying wish and raise money to help others with brain tumours. They have instigated a #sweatyselfie campaign and are asking people to make a donation to Shenley Wood-based Brain Tumour Research in a bid to raise £1 million.
Nicki’s celebrity friends including Denise Van Outen, Tamzin Outhwaite, Michelle Heaton, Nicole Appleton, Polly Parsons, Kate Thornton, Emma Bunton and Jade Jones have already uploaded their #sweatyselfie pictures.
Brain tumours kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer yet just 1% of the national spend on cancer research has been allocated to this devastating disease. Unsurprisingly, given the lack of research investment, less than 20% of those diagnosed with a brain tumour survive beyond five years compared with an average of 50% across all cancers1.
Brain Tumour Research’s National PR Manager, Caroline Marrows, 39, who lives in Wolverton, appealed to local people to post their own selfies, saying: “I lost my mum nine years ago after her long battle with a brain tumour. It’s shocking to hear that such a minimal amount is allocated to research into this form of cancer.
"Treatments have progressed so little since she was first diagnosed, soon after my twin and I were born. I’m supporting the #sweatyselfie campaign to raise funds for the charity Brain Tumour Research and help find a cure.
“Please post a sweaty selfie, nominate some mates to do the same and send a donation in memory of Nicki, or for someone you know who has been lost to a brain tumour or is still fighting, " she said.
“The devastation caused by a brain tumour for both the patient and their loved ones makes people feel helpless in the face of it," said Sue Farrington Smith, chief executive of Brain Tumour Research.
"We are full of admiration for Nicki’s family who want to turn their tragic loss into something that will make a difference to those 16,000 people diagnosed with a brain tumour every year."
She added: “Nicki did so much to raise awareness of brain tumours and the need for research funding. It was a privilege to meet her at the Houses of Parliament in March. We will remember this courageous and beautiful woman, taken far too soon.”
Brain Tumour Research, founded in 2009, is the only national charity dedicated to funding research into this form of cancer.
Post your #SweatySelfie, nominate others and text donate SNAP53 £3 to 70070 and help to make a difference.
For more on the charity visit www.braintumourresearch.org
