‘Every penny’ of funding will go towards research - Brainwaves founder

Representatives from Brainwaves NI, which supports adults and children with brain tumours, joined groups from across Northern Ireland who received funding from the Lloyds Bank Foundation for Northern Ireland.

Brainwaves received £6,436 in a series of Matched Giving grants, a scheme in which the Lloyds Bank Foundation matches the contributions of Lloyds Banking Group employees of up to £1,000 per year in funds raised or hours volunteered.

The volunteer-led organisation was founded by Whitehead woman Kate Ferguson, who this year received an MBE for her services to people with brain tumours and their families.

Kate was joined at the event by Elaine Hayes and Lorraine Burns, also from Brainwaves

Kate explained: “Lorraine sadly lost her husband Alan to a brain tumour last year; since then there has been a series of fundraising events in his memory. As an employee of Halifax, Lorraine was able to apply for matched funding from Lloyds for the amount raised.

“Research into brain tumours receives so little funding; if we are to progress, we need charities to fundraise. Every penny of these grants will go towards brain tumour research.”

More information on Brainwaves can be found at www.brainwaves-ni.org or by calling 028 9335 3995.